Doctors are leaving the British Medical Association in protest over its opposition to a landmark review of gender identity services for children.
Many members, including NHS leaders and former presidents of medical royal colleges, have expressed dismay at 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 Cass’s review, which recommended stopping the prescription of sex hormones to young patients with gender dysphoria.
Many BMA members, including NHS leaders and former medical royal college presidents, have expressed their dismay at the report, led by paediatrician Hilary Cass (pictured).
Critics within the BMA, including some senior council members, argued the decision did not represent the views of the wider membership and lacked transparency.
Jacky Davis, a consultant radiologist and council member, told The Times: ‘This minority voted to block the implementation of Cass, an evidence-based review that took four years to put together.
“They have no evidence to support their objection. The Cass review is not a matter for a union. It is not our business as a union to criticise 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 royal colleges of medicine, signed an open letter urging the BMA to drop its opposition to the Cass review.
After Dr Hilary Cass presented her report on NHS gender identity services for children and young people, many treatments were suspended and campaigners protested the ban. Pictured, a protest in London on 20 April 2024
Transgender people and their supporters march through central London in protest against the ban on puberty blockers following the Cass report. Photo from April 20, 2024
Many expressed frustration and some resigned or considered resigning from the union.
One signer called for a “vote of no confidence in the BMA leadership” and another commented that “it appears activists have been allowed to take power”.
Despite the BMA’s stance, the NHS remains committed to implementing the review’s recommendations.
Professor Philip Banfield, chair of the BMA council, said a “task and completion” group set up to assess the Cass report would report on progress by the end of the year.