Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) – legal update 17 September 2021

On 1 December 2020 the High Court ruled that children and young people may not be able to consent to puberty-blocking treatment in cases of gender dysphoria. Read more.

The Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, which leads the national Gender Identity and Development Service (GIDS), appealed against the judgment and today (17 September) the Court of Appeal ruled in the Tavistock’s favour. Read more. 

Endocrinologists at UCLH and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust prescribe and administer puberty-blocking drugs on behalf on the Tavistock’s GID service.

Our statement in response to today’s judgment is as follows:

A UCLH spokesperson said: “We understand this has been an uncertain time for patients and families under the care of the Gender Identity and Development Service.

“We welcome the clarity provided by the court’s decision and are working with the Tavistock and Portman and our commissioners, NHS England, to understand the impact on the GID service.”

The Tavistock and Portman has published its statement here and further information is available on the GIDS website.

If you are a young person supported by GIDS, or their parent or carer, and have any questions please contact the clinic using the number on your patient letters.

Journalists should email uclh.media@nhs.net. This email address is for members of the media only.