What has the NHS announced?
NHS England has announced that it is pausing new prescriptions of gender-affirming hormones (i.e testosterone and oestrogen) for those aged under 18 years old.
This pause comes whilst the NHS has launched a consultation on a new policy that ends the “routine” prescription of GAH to 16 and 17 year olds. The consultation closes on 7th June, and a new permanent policy on under 18 hormones will be published following this.
Dr Hilary Cass’ review of youth NHS gender healthcare services did not recommend ending gender-affirming hormones for trans youth.
Why has the NHS taken this decision?
Following a legal challenge, the Government initiated a review into the use of gender-affirming hormones for under 18s.
This evidence review published by NHS England, used extremely strict exclusion criteria to discard a large body of evidence that shows the positive impact of gender-affirming hormones for trans youth.
Whilst the review did not find any evidence of significant harm, the NHS nonetheless decided to pause prescriptions.
The NHS’ methodology deemed only 11 studies eligible (3% of all studies considered) and they concluded that these studies only provided low quality evidence of the safety and effectiveness of hormone treatments, based on a GRADE system.
What does this mean for those currently accessing HRT on the NHS?
There is a very small group of young people under 18 taking gender-affirming hormones via an NHS youth gender hub and they will need to meet their clinician to review their medication, but are not facing an immediate withdrawal.
The Health Minister, Baroness Meron has said NHS England will reissue guidance for GPs not to agree shared care arrangements with unregulated providers (ie. those without CQC registration) who offer access to gender affirming hormones to under 18s.
What impact will this have on over 18s?
We are aware that there is a further evidence review into the use of gender-affirming hormones for over 18s.
NHS directors have told us that they are “hopeful” that the evidence base will be stronger for adults, however we remain concerned that the overall approach being taken to assessing evidence by the NHS in this area of medicine is entirely inappropriate.
Will the Government introduce a criminal ban on private prescriptions of HRT for under 18s?
In a statement to parliament, a health minister said that “the Government has been examining the private prescribing…by the independent sector, including overseas practitioners. The Department will continue to closely monitor this position with regards to any implications and next steps.”
What is TransActual doing?
In our initial press statements, we made clear our deep concern with NHS England’s decision.
TransActual is working closely with clinicians and researchers to make clear that the review does not reflect available evidence.
However, we also recognise that this decision is indicative of the political campaign against trans youth that has captured senior politicians and officials in equalities and health.
We will continue to campaign against this attempt to strip people of their human right to bodily autonomy – please look out for further statements and information in the coming weeks.
Please also help us to continue this work by donating: https://transactual.org.uk/get-involved/