Puberty blockers to stay in Qld despite international concerns

Queensland children will continue to be treated with puberty blockers at the state’s gender clinic, despite the medication being banned overseas due to concerns of long-term harm.

Queensland children will continue to be treated with puberty blockers at the state’s gender clinic, despite the medication being banned overseas due to concerns of long-term harm.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman told The Courier-Mail the blockers could be life-changing and life-saving for those with diverse gender experiences.

The announcement that sex hormone injections would not be halted comes as the findings of an independent review into the Queensland Children’s Gender Service are released.

The pediatric service was hit with explosive allegations last year when a whistleblower psychiatrist claimed of harmful sex hormone side-effects, and inadequate mental health screening before treatment began.

But the review found that clinical practice within the service was consistent with current national and international guidelines for treatment and care for children and adolescents with diverse gender experiences, and there was no evidence of children or families being hurried into making decisions about medical interventions.

The use of sex hormones and blockers in young people is a hot topic politically, with an overwhelming majority of LNP members at the party’s recent three-day convention in Brisbane calling for a ban.

“It is so important that clinicians make these decisions, not politicians,” Ms Fentiman said.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman

One-third of the patients at the clinic are managed with prescriptions for puberty blockers and/or gender-affirming hormones, along with ongoing support.

Thousands of children and adolescents have gone through the service since it opened in 2017.

The review panel discussed the findings of the UK-based Cass review, which was the catalyst for the National Health Service banning the use of puberty blockers in gender-affirming treatment in minors.

The NHS emphasised the lack of sufficient evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of blockers in addressing gender incongruence or dysphoria among younger populations.

The Netherlands parliament has also commissioned a review into puberty blockers as a gender-affirming model of medical care.

Evaluation panel chair for the Queensland review Associate Professor John Allan said: “The panel recognises the challenges faced by children and adolescents with diverse gender experiences and their families and supporters.

“Equally, we acknowledge the challenges faced by clinicians working to support these young people in today’s dynamic environment.

“While undertaking the evaluation, significant international publications regarding

gender identity clinical services were released, including the UK-based Cass review... final report.

“The panel actively considered the findings and ultimately made a number of

recommendations that were aligned with the Cass review findings, particularly in reference to a networked approach to care, appropriate data collection and linkages to research; and improving health worker expertise and understanding of diverse gender experiences to enable expanded service options.”

Trans activists protest the puberty blocker ban in London.

Five hundred young people are being treated at the Queensland gender clinic, and there is a waiting list of a year.

The panel has recommended more staff for the service to cut waiting times and for services to be spread across the state rather than centralised in Brisbane.

As many as 40 per cent of those being treated are from rural and regional Queensland.

The government will add an extra $2.6m each year to the service, bringing the total budget to $5.2m.

Ms Fentiman said: “Queensland is home to a proud and vibrant trans and gender-diverse community, and the Miles government is committed to ensuring that they have access to safe, responsive, contemporary healthcare services.

“We know that the care provided at the Queensland Children’s Gender Service is life-changing and, in many cases, life-saving.

“I have heard first-hand from families who have praised the service and expressed how valuable this safe haven is for them and their children.

“I welcome the findings of this report, which shows based on the best available evidence, that our Queensland Children’s Gender Service is considered one of the best in the country.

“Through implementing these recommendations, including by developing a statewide

network service model, we will bring down waitlists and ensure young people get the

care they need closer to home.”