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Wes Streeting has been accused of causing \u201cdistress and uncertainty to trans people\u201d and failing to provide clear and transparent information on the puberty blockers trial, which is understood to be starting imminently.<\/p>\n
Puberty blockers were banned indefinitely in the UK for under-18s in December 2024 after the Cass Review found there was insufficient evidence to show they were safe. It recommended a clinical trial to determine the effectiveness and safety of the medication.<\/p>\n
It is understood the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) expects the trial to begin within the next few weeks and conclude in 2028.<\/p>\n
But NHS sources told The Independent they aren\u2019t expecting to publish any details until February – just one month before it is set to begin – leaving young people wanting to access the medication battling significant uncertainty. <\/p>\n
While the trial protocol was expected to be published in December, with recruitment beginning in January, NHS England has postponed meetings with charities providing support to young people with gender dysphoria, leaving them unsure of when the process will start or what it will look like. <\/p>\n
In December, health secretary Wes Streeting said the ban on giving puberty blockers to under-18s questioning their gender identity was to be made permanent (PA Wire)Trans charities and campaign groups have so far received little to no information on who will be able to participate in the trial, how they will access it and when it will start, with Stonewall urging the government to \u201cprovide certainty to an extremely vulnerable group\u201d. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Tammy Hymas, head of communications and advocacy at Mermaids, told The Independent the \u201csevere delays and complete absence of details\u201d on the clinical trial has \u201cleft trans youth feeling abandoned\u201d.<\/p>\n
With more than 5,000 young people estimated to be on the waiting list, there is growing concern among trans advocacy groups over what the trial will look like.<\/p>\n
DHSC sources claimed it will be uncapped – meaning that there is no upper limit on the number of people who can participate – insisting that most trans teenagers will be able to get themselves onto it. <\/p>\n
But with a waiting list more than five years long, question marks remain over how this would work in practice.<\/p>\n
When pressed on what the criteria for the trial will be, NHS sources refused to say, insisting that further details will be published in February.<\/p>\n
Stonewall criticised the DHSC for a lack of information, warning of \u201cdistress and uncertainty to trans people and their loved ones\u201d (Ben Whitley\/PA Wire)Meanwhile, a DHSC source stressed that they are reforming the system to ensure young people are no longer forced to spend \u201cunacceptable time frames\u201d on waiting lists. <\/p>\n
There are also question marks over whether or not the trial will include a control group \u2013 a group of people that don\u2019t take a placebo or puberty blockers. <\/p>\n
While such a group would help establish the validity of research results, it could mean some participants cannot access the drugs. <\/p>\n
Ms Hymas told The Independent: \u201cYoung people deserve access to the healthcare they need to be their authentic self, without being compelled to take part in research or having to wait for years for an appointment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith puberty blockers outside the NHS now banned and a waiting list in excess of five years, families and young people have been left with no safe, accessible or affordable options. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe severe delays and complete absence of details for the proposed research trial that would give some young people access to puberty blockers, has left trans youth feeling abandoned by the NHS. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe need a health service that listens to young people’s needs, and supports them, regardless of their background or their gender.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Stonewall spokesperson said the decision to restrict access to puberty blockers risks \u201cundermining trust in the healthcare system and their ability to access the support they need\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe lack of information about the proposed NHS trial on puberty blockers has already caused distress and uncertainty to trans people and their loved ones,\u201d the spokesperson added. <\/p>\n
Referring to reports the trial will continue until 2028, which has not yet been communicated to Stonewall, the spokesperson said: \u201cIf these rumours are accurate, then it would be extremely concerning that the government doesn\u2019t intend to provide certainty to an extremely vulnerable group during this Parliament.\u201d<\/p>\n
A DHSC spokesperson said: \u201cFor years puberty blockers were given to vulnerable young children, without proof that they were safe or effective, or the rigorous safeguards of a clinical trial. This is shameful, and we won\u2019t apologise for putting children\u2019s safety first. <\/p>\n
\u201cNHS England is working to establish a carefully controlled trial into puberty blockers \u2013 the first of its kind the world over \u2013 and will set out next steps shortly. The NHS is reforming gender identity services to ensure safe, evidence-based care for young people and has extended support to anyone affected or concerned by the banning order.\u201d<\/p>\n
An NHS England spokesperson said: \u201cNHS England is working with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to establish a study and clinical trial into puberty suppression hormones. Like all proposed clinical trials, it is subject to rigorous independent review before the eligibility criteria is finalised and published, including all the usual ethical and regulatory approval requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailGet our free View from Westminster email I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our\u00a0privacy policy Wes Streeting has been accused of causing \u201cdistress and uncertainty to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4076,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n