Queensland Children’s Gender Service recommendations to be reviewed

The government will consider whether it implements 25 recommendations of the Queensland Children’s Gender Service review after the LNP last year voted to ban puberty blockers at its annual national party conference.

• Des Houghton: A resounding victory

The government will consider whether it implements 25 recommendations of the Queensland Children’s Gender Service review, the Health Minister has confirmed, after the LNP last year voted to ban puberty blockers at its annual national party conference.

Prior to his election, Premier David Crisafulli declared Queensland was taking a “vastly different approach” compared to the rest of the world when it came to gender, but he would need to see scientific evidence before considering a ban on puberty blockers.

His comments came after a review into Queensland’s gender service confirmed that care being provided to children experiencing gender dysphoria was safe, evidence-based, and aligned with national and international guidelines.

The independent panel, comprised of experts from across Australia, recommended creating a statewide network in partnership with private providers and NGOs to enhance service delivery, increase standing and add a special credential for gender service doctors to build research and expertise in the gender diversity realm.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls will assess the implementation of the 25 recommendations made before determining whether they are implemented or if there should be another review into the affirmative care model.

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls. Picture: Supplied

“The LNP wants a Queensland free from discrimination where individuals are respected and free to live safely in their communities,” he said.

“The government’s position at the election has not changed. No decision has been made.”

Last week, a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists called on the government to reinstate suspended child psychiatrist Dr Jillian Spencer, who was stood down from the Queensland Children’s Hospital in 2023 after she publicly criticised the gender clinic’s affirmation treatment approach, including puberty blocker use.

Dr Spencer claimed children and their families were being pressured into affirmation treatment care without adequate mental health assessments and that there was not enough medical evidence to discount long-term effects.

The English National Health Service last year banned puberty blockers after renowned pediatrician Dr Hilary Cass also declared there was no clear evidence supporting gender affirmation treatment in her own review.

However, the Queensland review found no evidence of patients being rushed into decisions about their treatment.

Dr Jillian Spencer was stood down from the Queensland Children’s Hospital in 2023 after she publicly criticised the gender clinic’s affirmation treatment approach, including puberty blocker use.

Dr Spencer criticised the review, claiming it was “stacked” with gender “activists”.

Mr Nicholls was unable to comment on her employment options due to ongoing internal disputes between Dr Spencer and the Children’s Hospital.

“Dr Spencer has, I am advised, taken action in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and has made a claim against CHQHHS under the Public Interest Disclosure Act,” he said. “Dr Spencer also has a complaint against her.”

 About one-third of Queensland gender service patients are discharged into community-based care, another third receive ongoing clinical management, and the remainder access medical treatments such as puberty blockers.

The waitlist for the service is 12 months.