Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Puberty blockers update: NHSE introduces 2 new gender clinics post Gids closure

Puberty blockers update: NHSE introduces 2 new gender clinics post Gids closure

New gender clinics to address rising referrals, lack of consensus in gender dysphoria treatment for children and teens and continuity of patient-care 

London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool are poised to introduce groundbreaking gender-related services in England, following the closure of the Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) operated by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.


Amid concerns expressed by hospital executives regarding the closure of Gids, with leaked emails revealing apprehensions about appointment cancellations and inadequate communication with the new services, the National Health Services England (NHSE) has confirmed "its commitment to ensuring continuity of care for patients already accessing endocrine care in GIDS."

NHSE's decision to transition to regional services stems from a 2022 interim review, led by Dr. Hilary Cass, which highlighted the need for improved support structures for gender-distressed youth.

It emphasized a significant increase in referrals to Gids, surpassing 5,000 in 2021/22, compared to less than 250 a decade ago.

Additionally, it pointed out the absence of consensus and open dialogue regarding the nature of gender dysphoria, leading to uncertainty about the suitable clinical approach.

Dr. Cass said that Gids had not collected routine and consistent data “which means it is not possible to accurately track the outcomes and pathways that children and young people take through the service”.

Recently, NHSE made headlines by announcing the cessation of routine prescriptions of puberty blockers at gender identity clinics, signaling a shift towards evidence-based care. Now, puberty blockers will solely be accessible through clinical research trials, underscoring NHSE's dedication to prioritizing the welfare of children.

The two upcoming gender clinics aim to address these gaps while offering holistic care and are anticipated to mark the beginning of potentially eight specialist centers, forming part of the North and South hubs in the coming two years.

NHSE's move towards regional services aims to improve accessibility and enhance the quality of gender-affirming care for children across England.

The establishment of these clinics will benefit from the expertise of professionals in neurodiversity, pediatrics, and mental health, ensuring comprehensive support.

More For You

​The next generation of BD Rowa Smart launched

The latest BD Rowa™ Smart introduces a more intuitive user interface.

Photo credit: BD Rowa

BD Rowa unveils next-generation smart dispensing robot with sustainable design

Leading medical technology company BD Rowa has announced the launch of the next generation of its smart dispensing robot, offering enhanced convenience with a sustainable design.

Currently in its final development phase, the latest BD Rowa™ Smart introduces a more intuitive user interface designed to streamline operations and enhance the user experience.

Keep ReadingShow less
Independent Prescribing: Government aims to complete pathfinder programme evaluation by autumn 2025

Pharmacist prescribers at 210 ‘pathfinder’ sites were allowed to trial prescribing models within integrated primary care services.

Photo credit: gettyimages

Independent prescribing: Pathfinder programme evaluation to be completed by autumn, says Kinnock

Health minister Stephen Kinnock has revealed that the evaluation of the Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder Programme could be completed by Autumn 2025.

Kinnock was responding to a question from James Naish, Labour MP for Rushcliffe, who asked what steps the minister was taking to ensure continued support for the Pathfinder Programme and independent prescribing to maximise direct prescribing capacity in England.

Keep ReadingShow less
NHS pharmacy funding not enough 2025: £3.073B deal with £1.99B gap fuels reform debate.

Funding alone isn’t going to be enough to save community pharmacy

Photo credit: gettyimages

New funding contract ‘not enough’ to release the sector from financial blackhole

After almost a year without an agreement, a new funding contract for community pharmacy was finally announced yesterday (31 March).

The settlement raises the baseline annual funding for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) in 2025/26 to £3.073 billion, with an additional £215 million secured to continue Pharmacy First and other Primary Care Recovery Plan services.

Keep ReadingShow less
Free morning-after pill at pharmacies to end postcode lottery for patients

Pharmacy technicians will be allowed to supply of drospirenone for contraception under PGD,

gettyimages

Pharmacy contract: Free morning-after pill to be available at pharmacies soon

The UK government has announced that, for the first time ever, the ‘morning-after pill’ or emergency contraceptive pill will be available free of charge at pharmacies on the NHS, ending the postcode lottery women face in accessing the medicine and reducing inequalities.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed a record £3.073 billion funding package for community pharmacies in 2025/26, alongside an additional £215 million to sustain Pharmacy First and other Primary Care Recovery Plan services.

Keep ReadingShow less
Royal College status: The PDA calls for ‘meaningful and collaborative dialogue’

The profession’s success will depend on collaboration across all sectors, says PDA.

gettyimages

Royal College vote: Less than 7% of GB pharmacists in favour, says PDA

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has criticised the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) for moving too quickly to a ballot on its proposed transition to a Royal College, arguing that it resulted in low participation from pharmacists in Great Britain.

Announcing the results of the special resolution vote, the RPS said that the outcome was a “clear mandate” in favour of the transformative change.

Keep ReadingShow less