Puberty blockers for under-18s with gender dysphoria will be banned indefinitely across the UK except for use in clinical trials, Labour has announced.
Wes Streeting, the health secretary, said that after receiving advice from medical experts, he would make existing emergency measures banning the sale and supply of puberty blockers indefinite.
Streeting said the commission had recommended indefinite restrictions while work is done to ensure the safety of children and young people.
In May, that government introduced a ban on puberty blockers through emergency legislation, preventing the prescription of the medication from European or private prescribers and restricting NHS provision to within clinical trials.
I support the government’s decision to continue restrictions on the dispensing of puberty blockers for gender dysphoria outside the NHS where these essential safeguards are not being provided.”.
There are plans to set up a clinical trial into the use of puberty blockers next year and to recruit the first patients by spring.
Lauren Stoner, the chief executive of Mermaids, a trans rights charity, said she was “deeply disappointed” by the indefinite ban on puberty blockers. »
