NHS Decision on Prescribing Puberty Blockers to Children

SOURCE news.sky.com
NHS England has decided to stop prescribing puberty blockers to children at gender identity clinics, making them only available for clinical research trials. This decision follows a sharp rise in referrals to the Gender Identity Development Service run by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, which is closing. New clinics will open in April at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Critics have raised concerns about consent, mental health risks, and bone density development related to puberty blockers.

Key Points

  • NHS stops routine prescription of puberty blockers for children
  • New clinics to open in April at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Alder Hey Children's Hospital
  • Concerns raised about lack of evidence, consent, and long-term effects of puberty blockers

Pros

  • Ensures care is based on evidence and in the best interests of the child
  • New clinics to provide support from experts in neurodiversity, paediatrics, and mental health

Cons

  • Concerns about consent, mental health risks, and bone density development related to puberty blockers
  • Transgender youth charity Mermaids described the decision as 'deeply disappointing' and accused the NHS of 'failing trans youth'