Doctors quit British Medical Association in revolt over landmark review into gender identity services for children

Doctors are quitting the British Medical Association in revolt at its opposition to a landmark review into gender identity services for children.

Many members, including NHS leaders and former presidents of medical royal colleges, have voiced their dismay over the report, led by paediatrician Hilary Cass.

They have accused the BMA of being influenced by a ‘vocal minority’ with an ideological agenda.

The controversy began when the BMA’s 69-member council voted to formally reject the Cass review, which recommended halting the prescription of sex hormones to young patients with gender dysphoria.

Critics within the BMA, including some senior council members, argued that the decision does not represent the views of the broader membership and lacked transparency.

Jacky Davis, a consultant radiologist and council member, told The Times: ‘This minority has voted to block the implementation of Cass, an evidence-based review which took four years to put together.

‘They have no evidence for their opposition. The Cass review is not a matter for a trade union. It is not our business as a union to be doing a critique of the Cass review. It is a waste of time and resources.’

In response, more than 1,400 doctors, including nearly 70 professors and 23 former or current presidents of medical royal colleges, signed an open letter urging the BMA to drop its opposition to the Cass review.

After Dr Hilary Cass delivered her report on NHS gender identity services for children and young people, many treatments were suspended and activists protested the ban. Pictured is a protest in London on April 20, 2024

Transgender people and their supporters march through central London in a protest against a ban on puberty blockers following the Cass report. Pictured April 20, 2024

Many expressed their frustration, with some resigning or considering resignation from the union.

One signatory called for a ‘vote of no confidence in BMA leadership’ and another commenting that ‘activists appear to have been allowed to take over’.

Despite the BMA’s stance, the NHS remains committed to implementing the review’s recommendations.

Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of the BMA council, said a ‘task and finish’ group set up to evaluate the Cass report would report on progress at the end of the year.