NHS gender clinic for children is rated 'inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission

The NHS' specialist clinic for children with gender dysphoria has been graded "inadequate" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). 

The Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) is operated by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, and has come under fire recently over prescriptions of puberty blockers and other controversial forms of medical treatment for young people with gender dysphoria. 

It was graded 'inadequate' following an inspection by the CQC late last year, the Guardian reports. 

Inspectors cited poor leadership and said that some staff had "felt unable to raise concerns without fear of retribution". 

Inspectors also criticised record-keeping at the clinic, which they said had failed to properly document "the competency, capacity and consent" of patients going forward for medical intervention. 

The grading follows the recent High Court case involving Keira Bell, 23, who received puberty blockers at GIDS aged 16 before progressing to cross-sex hormones and undergoing a double mastectomy. 

In a landmark judgment, the High Court said it was "highly unlikely" children 13 and under could give genuine consent, and that a court ruling should be sought before proceeding with a medical transition. 

News
Mission Aviation Fellowship makes Sudan a fresh ministry priority amid humanitarian crisis
Mission Aviation Fellowship makes Sudan a fresh ministry priority amid humanitarian crisis

The Christian aviation charity is ending its ministry in Tanzania after more than six “decades of transformation” as its humanitarian focus shifts to the Sudan crisis.

When ‘my truth’ replaces the truth
When ‘my truth’ replaces the truth

We live in changing times, where feelings about how we “identify” now hold more authority than facts.

Christian pro-life volunteer denies five fresh charges in abortion buffer zone case
Christian pro-life volunteer denies five fresh charges in abortion buffer zone case

A Christian charity volunteer has pleaded not guilty to five charges of breaching an abortion clinic buffer zone in Birmingham, as her lawyers challenge whether the prosecution should proceed.

Can we really think ourselves happy?
Can we really think ourselves happy?

There is growing evidence that people living with neglected tropical diseases, including leprosy, experience significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety, with discrimination and social exclusion among the factors contributing to this burden.