Our impact: 2024

The Cass Review: a landmark report on gender dysphoria The Cass Review, led by Dr Hilary Cass, was an independent evaluation of the services provided by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust’s Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS). Largely informed by research published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood ( ADC )—a journal produced by BMJ Group and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health —the Cass Review’s findings were prominently featured in The BMJ . Our flagship journal’s coverage helped explain the review’s recommendations to health professionals and policymakers. The Cass Review proposed a more regionalised model of holistic care, underscoring the necessity for enhanced mental health support for young people with gender dysphoria. It recommended limiting the use of puberty blockers in research settings and called for new training programmes and clinical guidelines for health professionals. These proposals have been adopted by the NHS. 10 ADC and The BMJ played central roles in the dissemination of research, evidence synthesis, and professional dialogue relating to the Cass Review.

Reflecting its influence, 75% of primary care clinicians “strongly agree” that The BMJ affects their practice. 11

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