UK Government announces ‘indefinite’ ban on puberty blockers for children

The UK Government has announced an indefinite ban on the prescribing of puberty blockers for under 18s.

UK health secretary Wes Streeting confirmed in the House of Commons that such prescriptions pose an “unacceptable safety risk” to children.

A review commissioned by the government concluded restrictions were necessary while further work is undertaken to ensure the safety of children and young people.

The ban applies across the UK, as legislation on the regulation of medicines in reserved.

Streeting said: “Children’s healthcare must always be evidence-led. The independent expert Commission on Human Medicines found that the current prescribing and care pathway for gender dysphoria and incongruence presents an unacceptable safety risk for children and young people.

“Dr Cass’ review also raised safety concerns around the lack of evidence for these medical treatments. We need to act with caution and care when it comes to this vulnerable group of young people and follow the expert advice.”

The previous UK Government stopped the routine prescription of hormone-supressing drugs as a treatment for gender dysphoria and gender incongruence in young people in March, following the conclusion of the Cass Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People.

Emergency legislation was later brought in to temporarily ban prescriptions across all providers, including in private healthcare settings. This was set to expire in September but was extended by the Labour government to allow the Commission on Human Medicines to complete its work.

The legislation will now be updated to make the order indefinite, with a review to take place in 2027.

Dr Hilary Cass, who called for such a move in her review, said: “Puberty blockers are powerful drugs with unproven benefits and significant risks… 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.”

Clinical trials are to be established within the next year to investigate the impact of puberty blockers in under 18s.

The Scottish Government has previously confirmed that representatives from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the University of Glasgow would be taking part in the UK-wide study.

The ban does not apply to gender-affirming hormones – testosterone or oestrogen given to help align an individuals’ physical appearance with their gender identity – though it is currently policy in Scotland not to refer any new under-18s for this treatment.

Scotland’s only gender identity service, based at the Sandyford in Glasgow, has also stopped self-referrals to both its Adult Gender Service and Young People’s Gender Service. Patients must be referred by their GP or a mental health professional.