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Queensland halt puberty blockers for children
No new patients while the government conducts a clinical review
In brilliant news, the Queensland government have announced a freeze on harmful puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for children.
Disappointingly, current patients will be allowed to continue so they can be used as a clinical review. Practices that can cause irreversible harm to these children.
The announcement came hot on the heels of the revelation that 42 children were placed on the harmful drugs without parental knowledge or consent.
A Queensland Health directive was issued just before midday on Tuesday to “to pause the intake of new patients under the age of 18 years for stage one and stage two hormone therapy in Queensland Health facilities” in the face of the allegations.
In a press release, Health Minister Tim Nicholls said that the Cairns Sexual Health Service provided treatment to 42 pediatric gender services patients without parental and medical consent, 17 of whom were prescribed stage one (puberty blockers) or stage two (hormone therapy) care.
“There is contested evidence surrounding the benefits of stage one and stage two hormone therapy for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria emerging from studies throughout the world,” Mr Nicholls said.
“France, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden have all tightened regulations around prescribing hormone therapy to children and adolescents.
“More recently, the government of the United Kingdom has changed legislation to restrict the prescription and supply of puberty blockers to children.
This is the first government in Australia to take action.
Many groups, including Binary, have been urging for federal and state inquiries for several years.
Queensland is the only coalition government in the country, and with a WA state election to be held on the 8th March, and a federal election to be announced at any time.
Earlier today it was revealed that the Cairns Health Service was not following protocols around gender health.
A preliminary review conducted by the Cairns and Hinterland Health and Hospital Service in late 2024 revealed the sexual health clinic was not addressing concerns related to patient and parental consent.
“Clinical variation and delay was identified, including delayed blood tests or bone mineral density tests in some patients,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The client records did not meet minimum standards for documentation around multidisciplinary team discussions or consensus. Reference to fertility discussions and referral to private fertility specialists was inconsistent.”
The clinical review will be completed by April 30, with the health service investigation report to follow on June 30.
We must now call on the federal government to do the same and ensure this is an issue at the forefront of discussion during the federal election campaign!
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