The announcement, made in a policy paper published by NHS England, states that while the prescription of the drugs at clinics will be halted, those currently on them will be able to continue their treatment.
Fewer than 100 children are currently on puberty blockers.
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Mermaids’ chief Lauren Stoner on the future of the charity and LGBTQ+ inclusivity
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Gender identity services switch to regional model after review
The NHS policy paper states: “We have concluded that there is not enough evidence to support the safety or clinical effectiveness of PSH to make the treatment routinely available at this time.”
According to the NHS website, puberty blockers pause the physical changes that happen during puberty including facial hair and breast development.
Charity Mermaids, which supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and their families, said: “This announcement is deeply disappointing, and a further restriction of support offered to trans children and young people through the NHS, which is failing trans youth. There were virtually no first appointments offered in 2023, with ever-growing waiting lists of over five years.
"Those currently prescribed puberty blockers won’t see any changes to their treatment, and this is a pause on prescribing – not a ban. It’s also important to note that puberty blockers can be just one possible part of a young person’s gender journey. However, this news still comes as a blow and will deeply affect our communities."
The announcement comes following a public consultation and a review of gender identity services for children by Dr Hilary Cass in 2020 which found found that the current model is no longer “fit for purpose”.
She put her findings down to a “complex and diverse” range of issues including a stark rise in the numbers of referrals over the past decade – more than 5,000 were made in 2021/22 compared with just 250 in 2011/12
Two regional hubs are set to be opened to support young people with gender dysphoria next month. They will replace the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDs) run by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.
The new model for delivering GIDS will be led by specialist children’s hospitals in London and North West England.
The London-based service will be formed as a partnership between Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and Evelina London Children’s Hospital, with specialist mental health support provided by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
In the North West, a new service will be formed as a partnership between Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, which both provide specialist children and young people’s mental health services.
