"Health secretary Wes Streeting has insisted the government's approach to trans youth healthcare is based on the "highest standards of ethics" despite concerns over the impact on young people. The Ilford North MP, 42, argued that the government is committed to an "evidence-based approach" to gender-affirming care for trans and non-binary young people. Responding to questions on the upcoming NHS puberty blocker trial during a Commons debate on Wednesday (17 December), Streeting insisted he was following "clinical advice" in his decision-making."
"The NHS Pathways trial will study the effectiveness of puberty suppressants by analysing the physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of 220 youngsters over two years. Led by researchers from King's College London (KCL), the £10 million ($13.1 million) clinical trial is currently the only way to access puberty blockers through the NHS after the government permanently extended a ban on new prescriptions for the medication."
"Streeting, who made the call to heavily restrict the potentially life-saving medication, said he had personal reservations about the ban, but chose to do so after hearing "expert advice". Ministerial diaries from 2024 suggest that, shortly after Labour came to power, the MP had scheduled a gender policy meeting with organisations LGB Alliance, Transgender Trend, Genspect, CAN-SG, the Integrated Psychology Clinic, and the Bayswater Support Group. All of these groups have campaigned to deny gender-affirming treatment for trans youngsters."
""The reason I was uncomfortable with that, too, is because I had to look children and young people, and their parents, in the eye when they told me in no uncertain terms that the decision was harmful to them"
The government has restricted access to puberty blockers by permanently extending a ban on new prescriptions while enabling access only through a £10 million NHS Pathways clinical trial. The trial, led by King's College London, will evaluate puberty suppressants' effects on the physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of 220 young people over two years. Health secretary Wes Streeting says decisions follow clinical and expert advice and reflect an evidence-based, ethical approach despite his personal reservations. Ministerial diaries show meetings with groups that campaign against gender-affirming treatment, and leaked messages from one group indicate alleged support for conversion practices.
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