SNP must heed recommendations of the Cass Review and protect Scotland’s vulnerable children
Just over a week ago, a report was published revealing a major medical scandal that has been unfolding in our NHS.
Children have been routinely given ‘puberty-blocking’ medication which has been shown to be of little benefit, without a full understanding of its long-term impacts.
And gender identity services have been letting down vulnerable and distressed children.
You would expect politicians to leap into action to put an end to these untested treatments on young children.
And in England this has indeed been the case.
Here in Scotland, however, the response has been a shrug of the shoulders.
In the last week, I have requested ministerial statements, written to the First Minister, submitted a topical question and an urgent question in the Scottish Parliament – all to get vital answers from the SNP on the continued use of puberty blockers in Scotland.
Every one of my requests has been rejected or ignored.
In my three years as an MSP, I don’t think I have ever felt this frustrated.
I have been raising concerns over gender services for children in Scotland for quite some time – from calling for a review into the Sandyford clinic, to asking the Scottish Government whether they will pause the prescription of puberty-suppressing hormones.
The SNP have had every opportunity to protect children.
But they have failed in their duty of care to vulnerable young people, and by refusing to listen to the experts, campaign groups and public figures who have bravely stepped forward to voice their concerns.
I have had the privilege of speaking to families who have had their lives turned upside down because of gender services, and the lack of care their sons and daughters receive. Their bravery has given me the strength to keep going – knowing that their voices must be heard.
Talking about gender in Scotland has become toxic – anyone who dares challenge the status quo has found themselves bullied on social media, and in some instances, cancelled. I have been called transphobic merely for trying to make sure that children who are referred to a clinic for gender-affirming care receive the right psychological support and assessments.
While the UK Government and NHS England have taken direct action in their ban of puberty blockers, the SNP-Green Government are failing to look after children experiencing gender distress.
As a parent of a young girl, I am really worried about the unknown when it comes to gender care. So, when the Cass Review was published just over a week ago, it confirmed my fears. Weak evidence has been letting children down right across the UK.
According to the Scottish Government, the Cass Review is “English” and they will carefully consider the 32 recommendations that it makes.
Their argument to date is that gender services in Scotland are different from those in England. But this is simply not true. The scientific evidence does not change at the border.
Scotland now risks being an outlier, as other countries have already signed up to its proposals.
Finland, Sweden and Denmark have all begun limiting access to gender-related treatments like puberty blockers and hormone treatments after evidence-based reviews.
Given the SNP use Scandinavian models to argue for better healthcare, education and their pet project, independence, why won’t they sign up to implementing the recommendations of the Cass Review?
They have tried to silence MSPs in the Scottish Parliament by refusing to answer any question on this subject. My colleague Laura Ann Jones MS in the Welsh Senedd has also had her requests for a statement refused by the Labour administration. Women being shut down in two devolved parliaments.
Attempting to prevent discussion on gender adds to the toxicity of the debate that we have witnessed in recent years. And it is inexcusably reckless with the health and well-being of vulnerable children and young people.
Meghan Gallacher is a member of the Scottish Parliament and deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives
