Wes Streeting hopes the Cass review will be a turning point in the provision of health services to young people who are questioning their gender identity, but also explains why some transgender people are “scared” He said he understood.
The Shadow Health Secretary said there was a “total failure” in the current state of health care available to children and young people, and transgender people more generally, adding: “We have to get this right for them. No,” he added.
Mr Streeting said the Cass review, which recommended fundamental changes to the way the NHS treats people under the age of 18 who are unsure of their gender identity or who experience gender dysphoria, was an “unprecedented” review of the issue. a more thoughtful, careful and considered approach.
“I have been doing everything in my power to avoid throwing stones at the Conservative Party and to see if we can build a more positive agreement, especially in the wake of Mr Kass’ review,” he said. . “But that depends on whether the Conservative Party looks more like David Cameron than Suella Braverman.”
But Mr Streeting said there was “a lot of responsibility” for the clock being turned back after years of progress on LGBTQ+ issues, and Labor was also to blame for the tone of the debate. suggested that there is.
He said the country needs a more “thoughtful and inclusive” conversation about transgender rights and regretted some of the language he used in the past on the issue.
Ms Streeting said her “wake-up call” was speaking to women in the Labor Party who are LGBTQ+ allies and stand up against transphobia but have been reluctant to raise concerns about women’s gender-based rights. said. . That’s not a good thing and will lead to more harmful arguments and conversations. ”
But he added: “It is understandable why trans people are feeling fearful at this time. There is an absolutely toxic political backdrop in our country with an increase in trans hate crimes, which makes the job of the Cass Review even more difficult. I’m making it into something.
“Trans activists have questioned motives.” [of the report] And I fear whether this will be a turning point that will make things better, or whether it will make things worse.
“This should be a turning point that improves things for transgender people and young people who are questioning their gender identity.”
Ms Streeting said she understands why there is “a degree of skepticism” among transgender people because they have “failed so many times in the past”. She said there was a need for a stronger evidence base, shorter waiting times, adequate mental health support and comprehensive care.
The Labor government will force all seven adult gender dysphoria clinics to hand over data they have refused to share with researchers helping to develop best practice guidelines for the Cath inquiry.
“This is critical data for understanding the journey people take across the gender identity pathway, and provides us with the evidence base needed to ensure transgender people receive excellent health care. “This is critical to informing our understanding of the future,” Streeting said.
In the meantime, he said, clinics should publicly explain their decisions to withhold data. “When the public decides when and whether to co-operate with an NHS England review, they cannot do so freely. It is unacceptable, especially on a subject as important as this one.”
