Authorities have issued a reminder for interested parties to make submissions into a review on the use of “puberty blocking” drugs in Queensland.
Consultations for the independent review led by Professor Ruth Vine will close on July 29—less than two weeks’ time—to evaluate the use of puberty suppressing and sex-altering drugs to treat children with gender dysphoria.
The review was launched by the LNP government after it paused the use of the drugs in the state amid revelations children as young as 12 were receiving treatments through the Queensland Children’s Gender Service, some without parental permission.
Former Labor Health Minister Shannon Fentiman had earlier released a report recommending the expansion of services from the clinic.
“The overriding purpose of this review is to ensure we deliver the safest and most appropriate care for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria,” Queensland Health Director-General Dr. David Rosengren said in a statement.
“The overriding purpose of this review is to ensure we deliver the safest and most appropriate care for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria.
“Key stakeholders including public and private clinicians, professional colleges and peak medical bodies, and academics have been approached to provide expert submissions.”
Rosengren said the panel was also requesting the views of current and former gender service patients and their families.
The pause on prescribing Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies for children and adolescents will remain in place in all Queensland Health facilities until the report has been completed and its findings considered.
The Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic continues to offer other services including psychiatric and psychological support, counselling, and other clinically recommended medical interventions.
“The care we provide all Queenslanders, whether they be children or adults, must be based on strong evidence, which is why we have commissioned this review,” Rosengren said.
Youth gender treatments have come under scrutiny in recent years, amid concerns of potential psychological and physiological harms.
The UK Cass Report, named after chair Dr. Hilary Cass, concluded that England’s health service was failing children and that any prescriptions should be done with “extreme caution.”
A final report into Queensland’s use of medical gender treatments on children will be handed down by Nov. 30.
Submissions can be lodged here.
