An independent report issued by the UK's National Health Service (NHS) declared that children seeking gender care are being let down, The Independent reported.

The report—published on April 10 and led by pediatrician and former Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health president Dr. Hilary Cass—concluded that young people with gender dysphoria are being treated in a system underpinned by "remarkably weak" research, gaps in mental health care and "unusual" clinical practice. The review also stated that the "polarization and stifling of debate" by adults has not only let children down but has held back medical and scientific progress in the area, with healthcare professionals afraid to openly discuss their views.

It added that studies had been cynically "exaggerated or misrepresented by people on all sides", while doctors are pursuing life-changing treatment on young people despite a profound lack of evidence. Addressing the children directly impacted, Cass said. "Research has let us all down—most importantly, you."

In the report's forward, Cass stated, "There are few other areas of healthcare where professionals are so afraid to openly discuss their views, where people are vilified on social media and where name-calling echoes the worst bullying behavior. This must stop."

According to the BBC, the review was announced after whistleblowers raised concerns about care at the Gender Identity and Development Service (GIDS), the only specialist gender clinic for children and young people in England and Wales. GiDS recently closed—four years after it was rated as "inadequate" by inspectors. Regional hubs have now opened in London and Liverpool in an effort to move away from a single-service model and to handle long waiting lists.

Robbie de Santos, director of campaigns and human rights for the LGBTQ+-rights organization Stonewall, said, "What is important, above all, is that trans and gender-diverse children get the quality healthcare that they need and deserve."

One of the anti-trans people who reacted to the findings was Harry Potter author JK Rowling, Deadline noted. Rowling criticized celebrities to whom she has long-term ties and who have been public in their support for transgender rights, including Harry Potter series stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. In part, Rowling posted, "Celebs who cozied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatized detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single-sex spaces."

—Andrew Davis