The NHS will no longer routinely provide puberty blockers to children after an interim report into gender identity clinics last year found “gaps in evidence” on their usage. Only in exceptional circumstances will under-18s be given the drugs, which are used to pause the effects of puberty for gender dysphoric teens. The NHS’s reasoning: there was “not enough evidence to support their safety or clinical effectiveness” as a routine treatment. The big picture: England and Wales’ only gender clinic for children – the Tavistock – is being closed down after being heavily criticised by the same report. In its place, two regional hubs are being set up – although that process was recently delayed. When the new clinics do begin seeing patients, the new changes on puberty blocker guidance will come into place with a focus on “holistic” care and “careful therapeutic” exploration. Finland, Sweden, France and the US have also moved to restrict or encourage caution around providing puberty blockers.
