Online clinics told not to hand out puberty blockers

PRIVATE clinics that prescribe puberty blockers to children are ‘morally and medically reprehensible’, MPs heard last night.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins issued a rebuke to medics who sought to defy recommendations made in the landmark Cass Review published last week.

Ms Atkins said health officials had met the General Medical Council over the weekend to ensure Dr Hilary Cass’s recommendations were put in force.

Her 388-page report on NHS England’s gender identity services for children and young people concluded there was ‘remarkably weak evidence’ to support medical treatment.

Ms Atkins warned ‘nothing was off the table’ to close loopholes on unregulated clinics operating online and outside of the UK to prescribe to children. And she added that clinicians registered with the GMC would face action if found to be flouting the review.

She told the Commons: ‘It is morally and medically reprehensible that some online providers not registered in the UK have stated their intention to continue to issue prescriptions to children in this country.

‘I am looking closely at what can be done to curtail any loopholes in prescribing practices, including legislative options. Prescribing is a highly regulated activity, and the Care Quality Commission has not licensed any gender clinic to prescribe hormone blockers or cross sex hormones to people under 16.’