Anna Castle & 'Mrs C' v NHS England
Two mothers are seeking a judicial review against the NHS for allegedly providing unsafe treatment to young people with 'gender dysphoria'
Two mothers, Anna Castle and 'Mrs' C, are seeking a judicial review against the NHS for allegedly providing unsafe treatment to young people with 'gender dysphoria'.
Despite being unknown to one another, the two mothers both have teenage daughters who have autism, ADHD, a history of self harm and began identifying as the opposite sex during lockdown. Both girls are now on the NHS waiting list for medical intervention and now live with their affirming fathers.
The NHS specification allows 16-year-olds to be referred to adult services. Both girls have been referred and they can be prescribed opposite sex hormones from age 17. However, unlike the child and young person service, adult services offer a fast track to hormone medication and do not offer non-affirming, exploratory psychotherapeutic talking therapies.
Ms Castle and Mrs C believe that there should be no less protection for an adult experiencing 'gender dysphoria' with poor mental health and co-morbidities than a child. In bringing this case, the two mothers hope to force the NHS to guarantee the same protections.
Case status
The case has been listed for hearing on Tuesday 26th March at London High Court. Solicitor, Paul Conrathe is representing.
Update 26th March 2024: Case adjourned until 23rd May 2024 - to allow time for the Cass Review and a review of adult services to be completed.
Live tweeting sessions
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Press Coverage
26 March 2024
Express & Star - Legal challenge over NHS gender services practices paused by High Court
Independent - Legal challenge over NHS gender services practices paused by High Court
24 March 2024
[VIDEO] Free Speech Nation - Gender treatment on trial. Parents and clinicians issue legal challenges
Telegraph - NHS puts trans teens at ‘risk of irreversible harm’, warns gender clinic head
New Statesman - New legal challenge aims to restrict private gender clinics for teenagers
The Times - Parents in legal action against clinic’s gender treatment regime
19 Oct 2024
18 Oct 2024
[AUDIO] Unherd - Kathleen Stock: Inside Britain’s new trans clinics
25 Sept 2023
[AUDIO] Times Radio - Breakfast Show