For those who can’t / won’t access Instagram [NB for non-anglophones the NHS is the UK’s national health service]:

NHS Cover Up On Deaths of Trans Youths

Since the NHS (National Health Service) imposed restrictions on treatment for young trans people, deaths have surged. Whistleblowers and Tavistock clinic papers reveal that this tragic outcome was both predictable and predicted at the time. Independent investigations have confirmed numerous suicides among transgender youth since these restrictions were implemented, highlighting a dire need for policy change and better healthcare access.

Impact of the Bell v. Tavistock Case

In 2020, the High Court ruled in the Bell v. Tavistock case that it was “unlikely” young people could give informed consent to puberty blockers, which are medications that can pause the physical changes of puberty. This decision led the NHS to immediately restrict healthcare for young trans people. Despite the Court of Appeal overturning this decision in 2021, the NHS maintained these restrictions, leaving many young trans individuals without essential medical care. This has caused significant distress and harm to the trans community, creating barriers to accessing life- saving treatments.

Predictable and Predicted Tragedy

Before the High Court decision, there was only one death of a young person on the GIDS (Gender Identity Development Service) waiting list over seven years. In the three years following the decision, there were 16 deaths.

Healthcare professionals had warned that removing access to puberty blockers would severely impact the mental health and wellbeing of young trans individuals. Their warnings were ignored, resulting in a devastating loss of life and highlighting the critical importance of accessible healthcare for trans youth.

Jo Maugham’s Alarming Revelations

Jo Maugham, director of The Good Law Project, shared on X/Twitter that there has been a substantial increase in suicides among young trans people on the NHS waitlist. He revealed that the NHS has been suppressing evidence of these deaths, which followed the 2020 Bell v. Tavistock ruling.

Maugham’s thread included testimony from whistleblowers and internal documents, showing a systemic failure to adequately address the needs of trans youth and a deliberate effort to hide the true impact of these restrictions. The lack of transparency has worsened the crisis.

Whistleblower Testimony

Whistleblowers reported that only one suicide occurred in the seven years before the Bell ruling, compared to sixteen in the three year after. These figures were provided by a doctor known as the “Named Doctor for Safeguarding Children.” This whistleblower tried to alert higher-ups, including a Tavistock director and Dr. Hillary Cass, but their concerns were ignored. The suppression of this vital information has had a catastrophic impact on trans youth, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in healthcare

Ignored Warnings and Cass Review

Despite warnings from healthcare professionals, the Cass Review, led by Dr. Hillary Cass, failed to address the full scope of suicides among trans youth. Cass, who has no professional history working with transgender young people, collaborated with individuals linked to SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center)- designated hate groups. The Review downplayed the link between the NHS’s restrictions on gender-affirming care and the increase in suicides, contributing to ongoing harm and overlooking critical evidence presented by whistleblowers.

Evidence of Suppression

A second whistleblower corroborated the first, stating that staff at Tavistock planned an open letter in response to these alarming deaths but were threatened with disciplinary action. Jo Maugham supported these claims with Tavistock board meeting minutes, which documented the clinic’s awareness of the deaths while failing to report them accurately. This suppression extended to FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests, where critical data was deliberately excluded, revealing a pattern of hiding the true impact of these policies. This lack of transparency continues to endanger trans youth.

Systemic Failures in Mental Health Services

An investigation by The Guardian highlighted systemic failures within the UK’s mental health services, contributing to numerous suicides, including those of transgender youth. Cases like 15-year-old Virgil Rhone and 17-year-old Max Sumner revealed multiple failures in mental health support, including inadequate risk assessments and lack of family involvement. These failures, compounded by restrictive NHS policies, create an environment where trans youth are denied necessary care and support, exacerbating their vulnerability and increasing the risk of suicide.

Harmful New Restrictions

On 30 May, health secretary Victoria Atkins introduced a ban on young trans people obtaining puberty blockers from regulated prescribers in Europe. This has exacerbated the crisis, leading to further distress and attempted suicides among trans youth. The Good Law Project is aware of several young people who attempted suicide following these new regulations, underscoring the urgent need to overturn this harmful ban and ensure access to critical healthcare for trans youth. The restrictions have been widely criticised by healthcare professionals and advocates.

Join Us in Supporting The Good Law Project and Trans Actual CIC

Help support The Good Law Project and Trans Actual CIC challenge to these harmful restrictions. By supporting their efforts, you can help protect the lives and well-being of young trans people. Every bit of support counts. Join in demanding better healthcare and mental health support for trans youth. Your involvement can make a significant difference.

TRANS KIDS DESERVE TO GROW UP

Help support the ‘Trans Kids Deserve To Grow Up - UK’ solidarity campaign, focused on supporting and uplifting the voices of trans and non-binary youth.

(Edit: tried to put the whole thing in a spoiler tag but lost my patience)

In the meantime, Nazbols (obviously CW, enter at your own risk):

https://www.reddit.com/r/EuropeanSocialists/comments/1dhbnwq/