WHY WAS THIS NOT BLOCKED?
»»Health chiefs pause treatment following report on safety and effectiveness »»MSPs slam the Scottish Government for ‘dithering’ over the issue
HUMZA Yousaf’s government has been accused of “dithering” on puberty blockers as the NHS finally halted their use for kids.
Scotland’s only gender identity clinic yesterday announced new trans patients aged under 18 would no longer receive the treatment – which was slammed in a recent expert report.
NHS boards covering Glasgow and Edinburgh also contacted patients to advise that puberty blockers have been halted for new patients.
But Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said the SNP-Green government had dragged its heels following the highly critical Cass report, which led to a ban in England.
She said: “Messaging from the Scottish Government has been all over the place. They have been dithering.
“I am pleased to see puberty blockers paused. The guiding principle must be to ensure young people with gender dysphoria get safe treatment.
“I continue to call on the SNP government to implement the recommendations of the Cass report and outline what changes will be made.”
Puberty blockers have been used for young people experiencing gender dysphoria in Scotland for several years.
But Dr Hilary Cass’s review of gender services for England and Wales said kids had been let down by a lack of research. She concluded evidence was “remarkably weak” on whether medical interventions for trans teens had any positive effect.
NHS England said in March that it would stop prescribing puberty blockers and the Tavistock gender clinic in London was shut down amid fears for children’s health.
Former SNP minister Ash Regan, now an Alba MSP, accused the Scottish Government of failing to heed fears raised by MSPs on puberty blockers. She said: “I now expect the Scottish Government to schedule a debate for next week. They have spent this week refusing to engage with members of parliament on this matter.”
SNP MP Joanna Cherry called on all Cass report recommendations to be implemented.
She said: “The systemic review in the Cass report is an international piece of of work and there is no justification for not transferring the recommendations into clinical practice in Scotland.”
Glasgow’s Sandyford Clinic announced yesterday that they had paused puberty blockers for new patients.
An online statement said: “Referrals to Paediatric Endocrinology for the prescription of Puberty Suppressing Hormones have been paused for new patients.
“If you are already being treated by Paediatric Endocrinology and being prescribed these medications, there will be no change to your course of treatment.”
The Sandyford is the only specialist service for under-18s, who can either selfrefer or be referred through their GP.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said its decision to pause puberty blockers resulted from the Cass review. Dr Emilia Crighton, director of public health at the board, said: “The next step is to work with the Scottish Government and academic partners to generate evidence that enables us to deliver safe care for patients.”
NHS Lothian has also paused puberty blockers and genderaffirming hormones for new young patients. Medical chief Tracey Gillies said: “Patient safety must always be our priority.”
Health Secretary Neil Gray also welcomed the move. However, charities the Equality Network and Scottish Trans said the decision could harm transgender young people.
Vic Valentine, of Scottish Trans, said: “We’re saddened this change will result in some young people being unable to access the care they need at all, or having to wait even longer.
“We want every young person to get care that’s right for them when it’s right for them. We don’t think this decision will make that possible.”