UK to permanently ban puberty blockers for children

December 12, 2024

Wholistic care will now be the norm for children

UK Health Secretary, Wes Streeting has announced the temporary ban on puberty blockers will be made permanent.

Announcing the indefinite ban, Streeting said: "It is a scandal that medicine was given to vulnerable children without the proof that it was safe or effective."

He said on Monday that the review identified cases where children had been prescribed the treatment after filling out an online form and only having one online consultation with a healthcare provider.

The health secretary said it was essential for the government to be evidence-led when it came to healthcare.

The landmark review by paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass into gender care services for children has been instrumental in the move. 

The report uncovered a profound lack of evidence or data for the effects of prescribing puberty blockers for gender-incongruent children. Mounting evidence reveals predominantly irreversible and very harmful side effects. 

A clinical review trial is scheduled for 2027. The ethics surrounding a trial on children is hotly debated. Children already on the harmful drugs will be permitted to continue to use them, but no new cases will be allowed.

Helen Joyce, of the Sex Matters campaign group, said: "Wes Streeting has shown integrity and bravery in replacing a temporary ban with an indefinite order.

"It marks another step towards puberty blockers being relegated to a shameful chapter of history, in which parents and health professionals were emotionally blackmailed into harming children in the name of 'progress'."

Australian politicians take note! 

The evidence is clear, puberty blockers are causing irreversible harm to gender-confused youth. They do not address the underlying issues such as Autism, depression, eating disorders or trauma. Puberty blockers must be halted in this country for the sake of our youth.

Watch Wes Streeting’s speech to parliament here: 

Can you insert this video? https://twitter.com/SexMattersOrg/status/1866848059931398405 

To learn more about the harm being done to Australian children you can read our new book, available at the Binary website