Former Cairns director of sexual health clinic, Darren Russell, slams halt on hormone therapies, warns for future of gender-affirming care

A former director of the Cairns Sexual Health Service, which is accused of offering “unauthorised” gender therapy services, says the state government’s move to ban treatment for new underage patients is politically-motivated and could “seriously harm” transgender young people.

The Cairns Sexual Health Clinic provided “apparently unauthorised” gender therapy services to young people. Picture: Arun Singh Mann

A former director of the Cairns Sexual Health Service, which is accused of offering “unauthorised” gender therapy services, says the state government’s move to ban treatment for new underage patients is politically-motivated and could “seriously harm” transgender young people.

The Cairns Sexual Health Service, once referred to as having the “best gender services” in the country, is accused of giving puberty blockers to some children without parental permission.

But sexual health physician Dr Darren Russell, who once helmed the service, said the government’s decision could seriously harm transgender young people.

“They have wanted to shut down gender care,” he said.

Dr Darren Russell sexual health physician, and a Professor at James Cook Uni and an Affiliate Professor at Deakin University. File photo. Photos: Brian Cassey.

On Tuesday the state’s health minister Tim Nicholls said a review was underway after claims of a “rogue gender service” in Cairns.

Stage one and two of the hormone therapies have been immediately paused for new public patients under the age of 18 at Queensland Health facilities.

Dr Russell, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, said while he supported inquiries into health practices, a statewide ban was unnecessary and harmful.

“A year makes a huge difference and will permanently harm those children or adolescents through no fault of their own,” he said.

“Some young people with gender dysphoria experience a lot of distress if they can’t transition to match their gender identity.”

Dr Russell said this was a step backward for the community and the medical field.

“It’s hard to know what’s happened, but it’s very disappointing because we (Cairns Health) … were known nationally as a centre of excellence,” he said.

“We established arguably the best gender service in the country, within a regional centre.”

Concerns about practices at the Cairns Sexual Health Service were made by a whistleblowing health worker who lodged a public interest disclosure when they came into contact with a 12-year-old patient from the service.

As of November last year, the Cairns Sexual Health Service paused any further intake of under 18s for puberty blockers and gender affirming hormones. File photo.

On Wednesday, Queensland’s Health Minister, Tim Nicholls was in Cairns to discuss the reviews.

He said the temporary ban on prescribing puberty blockers – used to delay the onset of puberty in a child – would remain in place until the statewide review was completed.

The review could take 10 months or more.

“The health and wellbeing of children is our prime concern,” he said.

“Children need care and respect and the responsibility of the state is to ensure they are not put in harm’s way.”

Mr Nicholls said the reviews were being undertaken because there are “substantial question marks in relation to the delivery of this type of therapy”.

It was reported puberty blockers were prescribed without the required consultations with psychiatrists, psychologists, endocrinologists, fertility specialists, paediatricians, social workers and GPs.

CHHHS Chief Executive Leena Singh said part of the review would detail staff who were responsible for the unauthorised services. Picture: Sandhya Ram

Dr Russell said since the announcement, people had reached out to him to express their disappointment, solidarity and outrage.

During his time as director at the clinic Dr Russell said it was always protocol for both parents to give consent.

“Both parents gave consent for puberty blockers at least,” he said.

But the sexual health physician said courts have since said it is okay for just one parent to give consent.

“The family court some years ago said both parents must agree and if they don’t, you have to go to court,” he said.

“Even if one parent gave consent, courts have said that’s OK.”

Dr Russell said the blockers hit “pause” on puberty by stopping physical changes such as facial hair or developing breasts.

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls. Picture: Supplied

If the person stops using the blockers, puberty continues.

“Puberty blockers are part of that process. They’re fully reversible, so the young person goes on that usually for a year or two and then if they stop the puberty blockers, puberty just commences as normal,” he said.

“Puberty blockers allow the person to continue to grow in height and develop mentally and have brain development.”

Dr Russell said preventing access to the drugs could be harmful to teenagers and create lifelong challenges.

“If you have a person who develops, you know, genitalia and voice and everything which is not right for them and that can’t be reversed easily, you set the person up for a lifetime of greater challenges,” he said.

“The medical evidence for this is overwhelmingly clear. It’s the political stuff that is problematic.

“I’m very pessimistic about the future of gender affirming healthcare for Queenslanders … the government has shown that it’s quite happy to shut it down.”

Originally published as Former Cairns director of sexual health clinic, Darren Russell, slams halt on hormone therapies, warns for future of gender-affirming care