The number of children taking puberty blockers in the UK has doubled despite the NHS saying that the controversial drugs should only be used as part of clinical trials “due to the significant uncertainties surrounding the use of hormone treatments”.
The Telegraph reported that despite experts warning that puberty blockers can have “irreversible”
effects on children’s health – including on brain chemistry, bone density, and heart health – at least 100 children have gone on the drugs since July 2022.
The decision to limit the use of puberty blockers to clinical trials came amid the shockwaves caused by a report compiled by former President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Dr. Hilary Cass, which found that the now disgraced Tavistock clinic had adopted an ‘uncritical’ and ‘affirmative’ approach to fast tracking what are in many cases vulnerable children down a route of irreversible medical intervention.
Reacting to the figures, Stephanie Davies-Arai, director of Transgender Trend, said: “How many more children will be given blockers before they stop?”
Saying that 98% of children who go on puberty blockers end up on cross sex hormones she added, “I don’t understand how the NHS can sit back and let this continue when they know the harms that were described in Dr Cass’ interim report.”
Transgender Trend accused Tavistock clinicians of “openly flouting the findings of Dr Cass”.
Former UK health secretary MP Sajid Javid said that the use of puberty blockers “risks more vulnerable children being harmed” warning the NHS to be “extremely cautious”.
Reacting to the revelations, Irish psychotherapist and founder of Genspect, Stella O’Malley said the increase in numbers despite numerous safety warnings from experts “demonstrates that the culture war is more important than the medical war”
“While some focus on the medics is necessary, much more focus should be on the culture.” she said sharing a quote from the Telegraph article which said that as many as 2,000 teens aged 16 and 17 “have been told they will be sent straight to an adult clinic as delays and backlogs mean they won’t be seen by a children’s service before they turn 18.”
Despite the NHS accepting all the finding of the Cass report the Telegraph reports that in the 12 months July 2023, “the number of children beginning puberty blockers on the NHS rose to 83, which is double the average of the previous two years.”
“Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to Leeds General Infirmary and University College London Hospital, which receive referrals from the Tavistock’s Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), revealed at least a further 17 children started blockers between July and October this year, bringing the total to at least 100 since last summer.” it said.
It was noted that this number “does not include patients given blockers privately or by a GP, while FoI exemption rules relating to small numbers potentially identifying individuals mean this is the most conservative estimate.”
Among the Tavistock clinic whistleblowers is consultant psychiatrist Dr David Bell who said puberty blockers cause “considerable damage” and challenged the position that the long term effects of their use is ‘unknown’.
The Telegraph quotes Bell saying, “It is not the case that the safety of puberty blockers is ‘unknown’” he said adding, “We know quite a lot. There are serious concerns about bone mineralisation and long-term cognitive effects,” he said, emphasising the potential effects on bone density, compromised brain development, and long term risks of heart disease.
“We know 98 per cent of children starting puberty blockers go on to take opposite-sex hormones, and a
very significant proportion of those go on to have surgery,” he said adding,. “They are being started on a pathway which is highly likely to be irreversible. Once you start them on that path, it creates a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
Bell said that the affirmative approach the Cass report flagged meant “autism, depression, family trauma or sexuality” are not considered as underlying causes for gender dysphoria among children and teenagers saying this was “very harmful and completely against the Cass recommendations”.
Last June Gript reported that the HSE was to undergo a review of the use of puberty blockers in Ireland in order to develop an updated model of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria.
Senator Sharon Keogan previously called for a “full inquiry” into the cases of the Irish children who were sent to the Tavistock clinic in the UK saying that she was “ignored” in the Seanad after raising the issue.
At that time Keogan said, “The HSE has sent 234 Irish children to the UK for treatment for gender dysphoria in response to the recent unexplained exponential rise in young people experiencing severe gender distress.”
“The clinic in question, run by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, has been the subject of numerous serious allegations regarding the quality of care being given to the children and young adults in its care. The interim Cass report details that the standards of clinical care, assessment and treatment there do not match those enjoyed by children accessing other health services elsewhere,” she said.
Senator Keogan was interrupted by Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer who warned her that if she was “making allegations” about people “who are not in the Chamber to defend themselves”, she needed to be “very careful”.
The Senator responded by stating what had been reported in an independent inquiry.
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