Not many books change the direction of an entire debate but, in 2023, Hannah Barnes’ ’Time To Think’ did just that. Through the testimony of whistle-blowers from inside the Tavistock hospital GIDS clinic, it revealed deep concern about the use of puberty blockers on gender-distressed children and how this approach - for which there is very little hard evidence - almost always led to further and irreversible hormone treatments and surgery.

When the Cass report into Britain’s treatment of gender questioning young people was welcomed by the UK Parliament last week, politicians from across the House of Commons praised Hannah for her work, and her book is credited with helping change the policy of the opposition Labour party (and possible next government) on this very divisive and controversial issue.

Hannah’s work explores how best to treat children who feel they are somehow living ‘in the wrong body’ and fear the changes of puberty. It asks whether the ‘instant affirmation followed by puberty blocking’ model is dangerous and might better be replaced by counselling and other therapies.

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