The five-year road to banning teenage puberty blockers
Mar 20, 2024
auto_awesome
The podcast discusses the recent ban on puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria by the NHS. It explores the controversy surrounding teenage puberty blockers, clinicians' concerns in leading medical clinics, rise in referrals and safety concerns for youth. The investigation on puberty blockers for teenagers reveals hostile reactions, court cases, and impacts on healthcare services. Extensive reporting on the GIDS clinic and a promotion for the Forever 35 podcast are also highlighted.
The NHS has banned puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria due to safety and efficacy concerns.
Dr. Hilary Cass's review exposed gaps in evidence, leading to a restructuring of gender care services.
Deep dives
The NHS Bans Puberty Blockers for Children
The National Health Service (NHS) has made a significant decision to cease the prescription of puberty blockers to children who wish to change gender. This new directive follows concerns raised about the safety and efficacy of these drugs. Children seeking to transition will no longer receive puberty blockers unless as part of clinical trials, marking a crucial shift in NHS guidelines.
Puberty Blockers: Controversies and Implications
Puberty blockers are medications designed to suppress the development of sex hormones, delaying physical changes associated with puberty. They were originally intended for cases of early or abnormal puberty onset but have been controversially used on young individuals questioning their gender identity at the Gender Identity Clinic. Concerns have been raised about the lack of evidence on the long-term effects of these drugs, leading to uncertainties regarding physical, emotional, and cognitive impacts.
Dr. Hilary Cass's Comprehensive Review and NHS Decision
Dr. Hilary Cass, a retired pediatrician, conducted a thorough review of healthcare services for transgender young people, exposing gaps in evidence and record-keeping within the gender care field. Her findings led to the decision to ban puberty blockers in England following concerns about the safety and effectiveness of these treatments. As a result, the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at Tavistock Clinic will undergo restructuring, emphasizing a more holistic approach to gender distress and comprehensive healthcare support.
The NHS has announced a ban on puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria. This week, Parliament will debate a bill sponsored by Liz Truss that would make it a criminal offence to prescribe any drugs to children for treating gender dysphoria, including in private clinics. But the story behind this overhaul in treatment began five years ago, with an explosive investigation from The Times’ Lucy Bannerman.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.
Guest: Lucy Bannerman, News feature writer, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Clips: Times Radio, Sky News Australia, X/Daniel Shelvey