The Clinic

This timely documentary tells the story of the rise and fall of the Tavistock Centre’s Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), now one of the most controversial units in the NHS.

 ★★★★ ‘A a calm and non-judgmental look at an emotive subject’ TELEGRAPH
“In this wide-ranging exploration, we witness why this conclusion has left many children feeling they’re at a worrying medical impasse” RADIO TIMES

For more than three decades, this NHS service has been alone in providing treatment for young people with gender identity issues in England.  Demand for its services exploded in the decade to 2020. But after Dr Hilary Cass, who was commissioned to report on GIDS, was critical of its handling of the use of puberty blockers as well as the clinic’s waiting times, it was ordered to close, leaving thousands of children in medical limbo. Through the powerful testimony of GIDS insiders and patients, as well as clinicians and campaigners who have been involved with the unit and former Health Secretary Sajid Javid, the film – part of ITV’s BAFTA winning  Exposure strand – provides a vivid insight into what led to its closure amid a continuing and highly-charged debate around gender identity in the UK, which sits at the heart of today’s culture wars.

Watch The Clinic on ITVX

Timely documentary telling the story of the rise and fall of the Tavistock Centre's Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), now one of the NHS's most controversial units.

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