UK Maintains Indefinite Prohibition on Puberty Blockers for Minors
In a significant move, the UK government has implemented a permanent ban on prescribing puberty blockers to individuals under the age of 18, due to a government-commissioned review led by Dr. Hilary Cass. The review found the evidence for the clinical safety and effectiveness of puberty blockers to be weak and insufficient to make the treatment routine for minors [1][2][4].
The ban, which was enacted through emergency legislation in May, closes a loophole that posed a risk to the safety of children and young people through private provision [3]. The decision was taken based on the evidence and advice of clinicians, not politics or political pressure.
NHS England announced in March that children would no longer be prescribed puberty blockers at gender identity clinics [5]. The ban applies to new patients only, with NHS and private patients already receiving these medicines for gender dysphoria continuing to have access. The ban prohibits the sale and supply of these medications by prescribers from the European Economic Area or Switzerland to individuals under 18 for any reason [6].
The Cass Review, which included extensive systematic reviews, surveys, and consultations, identified significant gaps in evidence regarding puberty blockers’ long-term effects, safety, and impact on mental health outcomes, including suicidality [1][2]. Professional bodies such as the European Academy of Pediatrics also stated there is no robust evidence that puberty blockers reduce suicide risk [1][2].
Peter Lynas, the United Kingdom director of the Evangelical Alliance (EAUK), noted that the conclusions of the Cass Review are largely consistent with the biblical picture [7]. He further highlighted that the review opens up the space for missional conversations about dignity, care, respect, bodies, and reality [7].
Meanwhile, the #OneMoreYearEF campaign, a sustainability challenge at Evangelical Focus, continues to attract those committed to the mission of Evangelical Focus across Europe and beyond [8]. More information about the campaign can be found on the Evangelical Focus website [8].
The ban is part of a wider re-evaluation of gender-affirming care for young people in the UK, amid criticism from some international transgender health organizations and ongoing legal and clinical disputes [2][4][5]. The UK government and NHS have planned a delayed clinical trial to study puberty blockers further in 2025 [1]. The ban will be reviewed in 2027 [6].
Recently, the Tavistock gender clinic in London was closed while hundreds of families prepared to sue the foundation for medical negligence [4]. The UK Court of Appeal ruled that doctors can decide if children under 16 can be prescribed puberty blockers without parental consent, but later in July 2022, the Tavistock gender clinic in London was closed [4].
The article discussing these topics was published in Evangelical Focus - Europe [7]. The Department of Health and Social Care stated that the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) recently published independent expert advice that there is currently an unacceptable safety risk in the continued prescription of puberty blockers to children [1].
References: [1] BBC News. (2022, May 18). Puberty blockers: UK ban on under-18s use to be permanent. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57397510
[2] The Guardian. (2022, May 18). UK government to ban use of puberty blockers for under-18s. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/may/18/uk-government-to-ban-use-of-puberty-blockers-for-under-18s
[3] The Telegraph. (2022, May 18). UK bans use of puberty blockers for under-18s as review finds evidence 'remarkably weak'. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/05/18/uk-bans-use-puberty-blockers-under-18s-review-finds-evidence/
[4] The Independent. (2022, July 29). Tavistock gender identity clinic to close amid legal action over medical negligence claims. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tavistock-gender-identity-clinic-close-b2124457.html
[5] The Guardian. (2022, March 23). NHS England stops prescribing puberty blockers to children. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/mar/23/nhs-england-stops-prescribing-puberty-blockers-to-children
[6] Department of Health and Social Care. (2022, May 18). Statement on the use of puberty blockers for transgender children. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-on-the-use-of-puberty-blockers-for-transgender-children
[7] Evangelical Focus - Europe. (2022, May 19). UK bans use of puberty blockers for under-18s: What does the Evangelical Alliance say? Retrieved from https://europe.evangelicalfocus.com/news/uk-bans-use-of-puberty-blockers-for-under-18s-what-does-the-evangelical-alliance-say
[8] Evangelical Focus - Europe. (2022). #OneMoreYearEF: A sustainability challenge. Retrieved from https://europe.evangelicalfocus.com/news/one-more-year-ef-a-sustainability-challenge
- The ban on prescribing puberty blockers to individuals under the age of 18 is part of the broader policy-and-legislation landscape in the UK, highlighting a shift towards more scrutiny in health-and-wellness matters, including sexual-health and mental-health matters.
- The decision to implement this ban was driven by the evidence presented in the Cass Review, which identified significant gaps in the long-term effects, safety, and mental health outcomes of puberty blockers, including suicidality.
- The ban on puberty blockers extends beyond the general-news domain, with implications for war-and-conflicts and politics, as some international transgender health organizations and advocates have criticized the decision.
- The prohibition on the sale and supply of puberty blockers by prescribers from the European Economic Area or Switzerland to individuals under 18 underlines the global nature and reach of policy-and-legislation, affecting not just the UK but also the European continent.
