In what could mark the start of a return to sensible thinking on transgender issues, action is being brought against the Portman NHS Trust over its use of puberty blockers on children, it was reported in November.
The use of blockers has scant research behind it, but increasing numbers of children are being prescribed the medication which is only licensed for precocious onset of puberty. Indeed, research undertaken by the NHS’ own gender clinic, GIDS, has shown there is a significant increase in children trying to hurt or kill themselves when they are prescribed such medication. ‘Increase in use of (en September 2019 puberty blockers to be investigated.’)
Guinea-pig treatment
Known in court documents as ‘Mrs A’, the woman bringing her case to court said her 15-year-old daughter is autistic and cannot properly consent to being given hormone-blocking drugs. Mrs A said children and their parents are not told the various risks, and are being given ‘inaccurate and potentially misleading’ information by the clinic.