The Tavistock: inside the gender clinic

From Tortoise, journalist Polly Curtis tells the story of the Gender Identity Development Service for children and young people at the Tavistock. The Tavi, as it’s known, is the only NHS clinic in England and Wales which treats children suffering from gender dysphoria. Its critics have accused it of fast-tracking young people into changing gender. Its supporters argue it has provided help and support, even a lifeline for some. In a few months time the clinic will close. This is the story of what happened.

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Episodes

Gender GP | Ep 7

The story of Gender GP and its founder Helen Webberley, labelled by one newspaper as one of Britain’s most controversial doctors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 20, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 7

The real scandal | Ep 6

The episode delves into the controversial closure of the Tavistock's GIDS clinic, revealing a disturbing count of suicides among young people on its lengthy waiting list, which authorities were reluctant to confirm. It also exposes significant political intervention in the design of new gender identity services, raising concerns about the balance between medical best practice and ideological pressures. Through personal patient and parent stories, the podcast highlights the immense human cost of an overwhelmed system and a polarizing culture war.

Dec 15, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 6

The noise | Ep 5

The public debate around the work of the Tavistock is getting louder. Kiera Bell wins a landmark ruling at the High Court which halts all new referrals for puberty blockers for under 18s on the NHS in England and Wales. She was prescribed puberty blockers at 16 but later decided she wants to detransition. The Tavistock appeals and the ruling is overturned. But for many people the narrative of the Gender Identity Development Service is now set in stone. All episodes are now available to listen fo...

Dec 15, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 5

The enemy within | Ep 4

The internal divisions at GIDS and the wider Tavistock centre spill out into the open. Whistleblowers are publicly critical of GIDS. One accuses the service of fast tracking young people onto puberty blockers after just one meeting with clinicians. The senior leadership team at GIDS desperately tries to hold the team together. Meanwhile the numbers on the waiting list tick up and up. All episodes are now available to listen for free. Tortoise members can listen ad-free and get access to bonus co...

Dec 08, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Thin ice | Ep 3

As the increase in referrals to the Gender Identity Development Service increases, the profile of the young people seeking treatment changes too. There are now two natal girls for every natal boy, a complete reversal of what it had been a decade before. Polly Curtis tries to make sense of this change and goes to Blackpool which has the highest referral rate of anywhere in England. All episodes are now available to listen for free. Tortoise members can listen ad-free and get access to bonus conte...

Dec 08, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 3

The broom cupboard | Ep 2

Polly Carmichael became the director of the Gender Identity Development Service at the Tavistock in 2009. “I remember our office was literally a room that had probably been a broom cupboard at one stage”, she recalls. But the decision in 2011 to start offering puberty blockers to under-16s, and in 2016 to widen the professionals who could refer a child to GIDS had a major impact. The numbers of people on the waiting list ticked inexorably up, until the clinic felt it could barely cope. All episo...

Dec 01, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 2

A verdict | Ep 1

This episode initiates an in-depth investigation into the closure of the NHS Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at the Tavistock Centre, a decision met with both celebration and despair. It explores the clinic's role in treating children with gender dysphoria, highlighting the polarizing debate surrounding its practices, particularly the use of puberty blockers. Through personal stories and interviews with clinic leadership, the journalist aims to unravel the complexities and ethical challenges that defined the controversial service.

Dec 01, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 1

The Tavistock: Inside the gender clinic

This podcast investigates the highly controversial Tavistock clinic, England's sole NHS service for children questioning their gender. It delves into the ideological battle surrounding the clinic, exploring claims of both providing vital support and overseeing a medical scandal. The series aims to shed light on what truly happened, examining the challenges faced by staff and the overwhelming demand, in a world where discussions on gender identity have become increasingly toxic.

Nov 21, 2022•3 min

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