April 2024
NHS Gender Identity Regional Hubs Begin Operation
Health Trans UK
Following the closure of the Tavistock GIDS service, NHS England launched the first two new regional gender identity service hubs at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. The new services adopted the multi-disciplinary, holistic approach recommended by the Cass Review, moving away from a predominantly affirming model.
Impact & Significance
Marked the beginning of a fundamentally restructured approach to gender identity services for young people in England, though critics argued the new model created additional barriers to care.
Reference Record
- Date
- April 2024
- Era
- 2020-present
- Sources
- 2
Editorially reviewed — reviewed · last reviewed 2026-08-10.
Questions This Event Helps Answer
Q What is the Gender Recognition Act 2004? The Gender Recognition Act 2004 created a UK legal process for some trans people to obtain recognition of their acquired gender. Q Who were early UK trans pioneers? Early UK trans pioneers include Michael Dillon, Roberta Cowell, April Ashley, Stephen Whittle, Julia Grant and the organisers who built early trans community networks. Q How did trans healthcare institutions and courts shape rights? They shaped rights by creating standards, advocacy networks and legal tests for consent, access and evidence-based care. Q How did anti-LGBTQ+ backlash laws target visibility? They targeted LGBTQ+ visibility by restricting speech, education, healthcare, public performance and identity itself, often using child-protection or public-order language.
