Children as young as 7 allowed to receive transgender treatment under new NHS plans

The clinic, which had no minimum age for referral, was closed following a review by Dr Hilary Cass which found Tavistock was “not safe”.

New plans drawn up by NHS England have imposed a minimum age for referral for the first time.

Infants as young as seven can go for a referral in an attempt to limit the use of puberty blockers.

Only specialist mental health professionals or paediatric services will be able to offer a referral, The Telegraph has claimed.

Teachers and even activists were previously able to refer a child to the Tavistock clinic.

Doctors will encourage the consideration of other factors, including autism and mental health issues.

Children will also discuss their feelings and receive therapy.

The plans stressed the gender dysphoria is “just a phase” for “most” young people.

Experts have warned that the discussion of gender with children could still be the “first step” towards a full medical transition.

Dr David Bell, a former governor at Tavistock, said: “Labelling the problem as a gender problem can easily be the first step on a pathway to medical transition.

“Their difficulties should not be designated as a gender problem, it is much more appropriate that they be seen as individuals who are distressed and this is one way in which that distress is expressed.”

Tavistock closed last year but has treated at least 9,000 children for gender dysphoria since it opened in 1989.

The clinic was accused of rushing children onto puberty blocking drugs by former patients who feel they were not challenged enough about the decision.

Former patient Keira Bell took Tavistock to the High Court after claiming she was not challenged enough about drugs prescribed at the age of 16.

An NHS spokesperson said: “The NHS is transforming the way gender identity services in England are delivered following recommendations from the Independent Cass Review, and this includes introducing proposed minimum age requirements for the first time.

“Alongside this, the NHS is currently consulting on proposals that puberty suppressing hormones will not be made routinely available as part of NHS care due to a lack of evidence for their use.”