NHS England to stop prescribing puberty blockers

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NHS England has made the decision to cease the routine prescription of puberty blockers for children at gender identity clinics, citing insufficient evidence regarding their safety and effectiveness. Instead, these blockers will now only be available as part of research initiatives.

 

The move follows a review conducted by Dr. Hilary Cass, which highlighted gaps in evidence surrounding the drugs and called for a transformation in the model of care for children experiencing gender-related distress. This decision comes ahead of the publication of an independent review into gender identity services in England.

 

Puberty blockers, also known as puberty suppressing hormones, temporarily halt the physical changes associated with puberty. They are often prescribed to children questioning their gender identity to pause developments such as breast growth or facial hair.

 

The sharp increase in referrals to the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) has prompted scrutiny, with the service experiencing a surge from 250 referrals per year to over 5,000 in 2022. Currently, fewer than 100 young people in England are prescribed puberty blockers by the NHS.

 

NHS England had previously introduced an interim policy restricting the prescription of puberty blockers to research trials or "exceptional circumstances." The new policy confirms that routine prescribing outside of research trials will cease, although individual clinicians can still apply for funding for patients on a case-by-case basis.

 

GIDS is scheduled to close at the end of March, with new NHS services set to open in London and Liverpool in April, followed by regional specialist centers over the next two years.

 

Health Minister Maria Caulfield emphasized the decision's focus on evidence-based care and safeguarding children's well-being. The consultation on gender services received over 4,000 responses, reflecting diverse perspectives on the issue.

 

John Stewart, national director of specialized commissioning at NHS England, acknowledged the polarized nature of the debate surrounding puberty blockers. While some argue for continued access through research, others disagree fundamentally with their routine availability.

 

NHS England intends to initiate a study into the use of puberty blockers by December 2024, with details on participant eligibility yet to be finalized.

 

16.03.24

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