Child transgender referrals to the NHS quadrupled in five years

The number of children aged 10 or under who have been referred to the NHS because of transgender feelings has more than quadrupled in five years, according to new figures.
The Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust said referrals over the period included 47 children aged five or under, and two children just three years old.
The trust – UK’s only centre specialising in gender issues in under 18s – said that in total, the number of under 11s referred to the unit has risen from 19 in 2009-10 to 77 in 2014-15.
Parents said they had sought help after children became deeply distressed about their gender.

Sources and more information

• Rise in child transgender referrals, telegraph, 07 Apr 2015.
• Referrals for young transgender people increase, bbc, 5 February 2015.
• How to find an NHS gender identity clinic, nhs.
• Think your child might be transgender?, nhs.