Complaint to the NHS regarding page on "gender dysphoria"
NIC-681662-F5T5G https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/
21st June 2023
Ref: NIC-681662-F5T5G 
Dear AA
Thank you for your follow-up query regarding our review of our gender dysphoria content at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/.
We still plan to review this content in the light of the final report of the Cass Review. The date for the publication of that report has not yet been announced. In the meantime, we will be conducting one of our routine reviews of this page in the coming weeks. This is something we do to each of the clinical pages on the website every three years. This routine review will check that the page continues to be clinically valid and in alignment with current policy - it may or may not result in changes to the content.
It is still our intention that our coverage of this topic will be further reviewed following the publication of the Cass Review’s final report.
I can also confirm that the team which will be undertaking each of these reviews has retained a copy of your earlier complaint and my correspondence with you.
Kind Regards,
Helen Clifton
Executive Director, Product Delivery – NHS DigitalÂ
7th August 2023
Dear Enquiries team,
It is coming up to 12 working days since I submitted my email of complaint NIC-725339-L5H4B.
I would also like to draw attention to the fact that your page on "gender dysphoria" [1] which Helen Clifton said on the 21st June 2023 would be reviewed in the "coming weeks" [2] still shows "Page last reviewed: 28 May 2020", despite it now being several months.
I began the complaints procedure for my first complaint on your page on "gender dysphoria" [3] in 2022, yet I have not yet received any response nor indication that your subject matter experts have considered the points I raised. I question at what point does this matter not also become an issue of negligence: the NHS does not appear to handle complaints on the matter of gender identity disorder in a timely manner.
In the interim period, there has been further analysis that shows the NHS's statement that "gender dysphoria is not related to sexual orientation" is unsupported by research, which was a point I made in my original complaint:
"Research demonstrates that gender variant behaviour is associated with both gender dysphoria and sexual orientation. There is a strong correlation between early gender non-conforming behaviour and homosexuality. Girls who prefer ‘masculine’ activities are more likely to become lesbian, and boys who prefer ‘feminine’ activities are more likely to become gay. A high proportion of gender-distressed children grow up to become gay, not transgender." [4]
Yours,
AA
[1]Â https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/
[2] Email correspondence as part of complaint NIC-681662-F5T5G.
[3]Â NIC-681662-F5T5G
[4] "Asleep at the wheel: An Examination of Gender and Safeguarding in Schools" Moore, L. March 2023. https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Asleep-at-the-Wheel.pdf
5th September 2023
Dear Helen Clifton,
It has been several months since you suggested that your page on "Gender dysphoria" [1] was due for "routine review in the coming weeks".
On the page, it saysÂ
Page last reviewed: 28 May 2020
Next review due: 28 May 2023
Please could I ask why hasn't the page been reviewed by the team that holds a copy of my complaint NIC-681662-F5T5G?Â
Yours,
AA
[1]Â https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/
24th September 2024
Dear Orlando.
Thank you for contacting the NHS England, Customer Contact Centre.Â
Â
I can confirm that I have been in contact with Gender team who have provided the following response:
In August 2024 NHS England published its plan for how it will implement the recommendations of the Cass Review, the final report of which was published in April 2024.
NHS England's Implementation plan is published here:Â Â https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/children-and-young-peoples-gender-services-implementing-the-cass-review-recommendations
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Within this plan NHS England has made the following commitment, which we believe responds to your concerns:
The NHS recognises that it can be difficult for families to navigate the various sources of advice and information that exist about children and young people who present with issues of gender variance.
Often this information is inaccurate and may encourage behaviours or actions that may not actually be in the best interests of the child or young person, such as sourcing hormones drugs from unregulated sources or unregulated providers. NHS England will update the NHS.uk webpages on ‘gender dysphoria’ to reflect the findings of the Cass Review, and the National Provider Collaborative will coordinate development of evidence-based information and resources for young people, parents and carers. Consideration will be given as to whether this should be a centrally hosted NHS online resource.