Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will commit to publishing the results of the Tavistock clinical trial into puberty blockers for children.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
There have been at least two studies relating to puberty-suppressing hormones and the Tavistock clinic. The Early pubertal suppression in a carefully selected group of adolescents with gender identity disorders study, sponsored by University College London, published its findings in 2021. The Outcomes and Predictors of Outcome for Children and Young People Referred to UK Gender Identity Development Services: A longitudinal Investigation study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, was due to end in July 2025. We would expect the study findings to be published in a peer reviewed academic journal within 12 months of the completion of the study.
In addition, NHS England, in conjunction with the National Institute for Health and Care Research, is commissioning a data linkage study, which will provide different and separately valuable evidence to both understand the experience and outcomes of former patients of the Gender Identity Development Service and inform future National Health Service gender care. We would similarly expect the study findings to be published.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish all risk assessments conducted by his Department into the administration of puberty blockers for under 16 year-olds.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
In March 2024, NHS England published a suite of documentation relating to its decision to remove gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogues as a routine treatment option in the National Health Service for children under 18 years old with gender dysphoria. This documentation included a review of the published evidence, which concluded that there is very limited evidence about safety, risks, benefits, and outcomes for the use of this medication in children with gender dysphoria.
Children’s healthcare must always be evidence-led. In 2024, the Government introduced an indefinite ban on the sale and supply of puberty blockers via private prescriptions for the treatment of gender incongruence and/or gender dysphoria for under 18 year olds.
As part of that legislation the Government conducted a targeted consultation and sought advice on patient safety from the independent Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) and the Cass Review. The Government response to the consultation, the full report of the CHM, and the Cass review are available publicly, and respectively, at the following three links:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-the-availability-of-puberty-blockers-for-under-18s/outcome/governments-response-to-the-targeted-consultation-on-proposed-changes-to-the-availability-of-puberty-blockershttps://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20250310143633/https://cass.independent-review.uk/
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that puberty blockers are not administered to under 16 year old children with a mental illness or learning disabilities.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government has introduced an indefinite ban on the sale or supply of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, also known as puberty blockers, for gender dysphoria and/or incongruence, to under 18 year olds.
Children’s healthcare must always be evidence-led. That’s why we are following expert, independent advice from the Cass Review to implement a package of research to find out how the National Health Service can best support children and young people with gender incongruence.
This includes the PATHWAYS trial which has received independent scientific, ethical, and regulatory approvals as well as comprehensive review. The study design, including inclusion criteria and safety protocols, has been thoroughly scrutinised to protect young people's wellbeing. This includes demonstrating a good understanding of the intervention and the possible benefits and risks.
When making prescribing decisions, clinicians have a duty to work with their patient to decide on the best course of treatment, and must always satisfy themselves that the medicines they consider appropriate for their patients can be safely prescribed, taking into account any existing medical conditions or other factors including any disabilities.