The Cass Review of gender identity services for children and young people has garnered controversy since its publication in April. While welcomed by some, others – including patients, their families, academics, scientists, legal experts, and some members of the British Medical Association – have voiced concerns. In August, the BMA council voted for the BMA to evaluate the Cass Review. More recently, it voted for the BMA to retain a neutral position on the Review until that evaluation has concluded.

The role of any doctor, particularly those with an academic inclination, is to question what is held to be true based on belief rather than evidence. The BMA, of which I chair its board of science, has a long history of appraising evidence. The evaluation and dissemination of scientific and medical knowledge was the founding principle of the BMA in 1832. At that time, its focus was the management of a cholera outbreak; today the health issues are far more wide-ranging.

In recent years we have published authoritative reports on obesity management, suicide prevention, physician-assisted dying, and most recently, how we tackle the growing epidemic of vaping. We have never shied away from controversial subjects.

As the lead of the BMA evaluation of the Cass Review, I have no preconceptions and have every intention to lead our evaluation from a position of neutrality. As a geriatrician, I do not treat children and young people for gender dysphoria, and so the first phase of my review will be to listen to people with lived experience and a range of healthcare professionals working in this area.

We will also review the actions that have been implemented in the name of the Cass Review, what is planned, and what remains to be commissioned. According to the founding principles of the BMA, the evaluation we produce will be shared for all to use. I do not know, nor do I pre-empt, what we will conclude.

By approaching this evaluation with an open mind and a commitment to listening to all perspectives, the BMA aims to foster a more inclusive and understanding healthcare environment. I acknowledge that some members have objected to our evaluation, and I am committed to hearing and understanding their concerns.

Nevertheless, it is crucial that we move beyond polarising debates and focus on the nuanced realities of those affected, ensuring that their needs are met with compassion and evidence-based care. This process will ultimately contribute to a more informed and empathetic approach to healthcare for children and young people with gender incongruence and dysphoria, aligning with the BMA’s core principles of advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care.

David Strain is chair of the BMA board of science