Pause on puberty blockers
BOSSES at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have defended their decision to pause the prescription of puberty blockers for young people seeking gender-affirming care.
The move, which was announced by the local health board on Thursday and will affect those aged under 18, has been welcomed by the Scottish Government.
It followed a review by Dr Hilary Cass in England which prompted the health service south of the border to take the same action.
Puberty blockers pause the physical changes of puberty, such as breast development or facial hair.
Dr Emilia Crighton, director of public health at NHSGGC, said: “The findings informing the Cass Review are important and we have reviewed the impact on our clinical pathways.
“The next step from here is to work with the Scottish Government and academic partners to generate evidence that enables us to deliver safe care for our patients.
“We echo the views of Dr Hilary Cass that toxicity around public debate is impacting the lives of young people seeking the care of our service and does not serve the teams working hard to care and support them.
“We understand the distress that gender incongruence can cause and, while all referrals to endocrinology are paused, we will continue to give anyone who is referred into the young people gender service the psychological support that they require while we review the pathways in line with the findings.”
The health board had already deferred starting new patients on puberty suppressants and genderaffirming hormones, such as oestrogen and testosterone, in midMarch.
After the move to formally pause such prescriptions was announced, Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We have been clear it is for clinicians and health boards to make decisions about clinical pathways and that these decisions should be made carefully and based on the best evidence available.
“More broadly, the Cass Review’s final report and findings are being closely considered by both the Scottish Government and health boards, in the context of how such healthcare can be best delivered in Scotland.”
Those who have already been prescribed the drugs will continue to receive them but the decision to deny new patients has been criticised by charities The Equality Network and Scottish Trans, which said they are concerned about the impact this could have on transgender young people.
Vic Valentine, Scottish Trans manager, commented: “We are saddened that this change will result in some young people being unable to access the care they need at all or having to wait even longer for it.
“We want every child or young person to get the individualised care that’s right for them at the time that’s right for them.
“We don’t think this decision will make that possible.”