Key Takeaways
- The Queensland government has ordered a report on the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapies in treating transgender adolescents, which is due to be released tomorrow.
- The report, led by Professor Ruth Vine, was commissioned after the government implemented a snap freeze on prescriptions of the medications for new child patients in the public system.
- The government has not committed to releasing the report publicly, with the Health Minister saying it would be "considered by cabinet".
- The use of puberty blockers and hormone therapies in treating transgender adolescents is a divisive issue, with some medical groups calling for a ban on the treatments for those under 18.
- The Australian Medical Association Queensland branch has called for the report to be released "transparently, compassionately and in a considered manner", and for the government to consult with the trans and gender diverse community and treating clinicians prior to the report’s publication.
Introduction to the Vine Report
The Queensland government has ordered a report on the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapies in treating transgender adolescents, which is due to be released tomorrow. The report, led by Professor Ruth Vine, was commissioned after the government implemented a snap freeze on prescriptions of the medications for new child patients in the public system. This move was made in response to a preliminary review into paediatric gender care delivered at the Cairns Sexual Health Service, which found that the clinic had delivered an apparently unauthorised paediatric gender service to 42 clients, 17 of whom were prescribed Stage 1 or Stage 2 hormone therapy.
The Freeze on Puberty Blockers
The freeze on puberty blockers was implemented in late January, and it has been met with criticism from some groups, including Parents of Trans Kids Speak Out, who say that the ban "will only increase the suffering of an already marginalised population". The parent of an 11-year-old trans child impacted by the restriction has called for the Vine Review to be publicly released, saying that if the government suppresses the report, it can only be concluded that they fear what it says. The Queensland Health Minister, Tim Nicholls, has said that the report would be "considered by cabinet", but he did not commit to releasing it publicly.
The International Debate
The use of puberty blockers and hormone therapies in treating transgender adolescents is a divisive issue, with some medical groups calling for a ban on the treatments for those under 18. In April 2024, a 388-page report written by British paediatrician Hiliary Cass concluded that "there is not a reliable evidence base upon which to make clinical decisions" regarding gender-affirming care. As a result of the Cass Review, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service stopped prescribing puberty blockers to adolescents unless the patient was part of a clinical trial. The Australian Doctors’ Federation has also called on the nation’s political leaders to follow Queensland’s lead and ban puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgery for all people aged under 18.
The Response from Medical Groups
The Australian Medical Association Queensland branch has called for the report to be released "transparently, compassionately and in a considered manner", and for the government to consult with the trans and gender diverse community and treating clinicians prior to the report’s publication. The branch president, Dr Nick Yim, said that the AMAQ awaited the National Health and Medical Research Council’s "evidence-based national guidelines" currently in development. However, the Australian Doctors’ Federation has taken a different stance, calling for a ban on the treatments for those under 18 and supporting a joint letter to Federal Health Minister Mark Butler to discontinue the development of national guidelines for the care of children with gender dysphoria.
The Importance of Transparency
The Queensland government’s decision not to commit to releasing the Vine Report publicly has been met with criticism from some groups, who say that it is essential to release the report transparently and compassionately. The report’s findings could have significant implications for the treatment of transgender adolescents in Queensland, and it is crucial that the government is transparent about its decision-making process. The use of puberty blockers and hormone therapies in treating transgender adolescents is a complex and divisive issue, and it is essential that the government takes a considered and compassionate approach to addressing it.
Conclusion
The Vine Report is due to be released tomorrow, and its findings could have significant implications for the treatment of transgender adolescents in Queensland. The use of puberty blockers and hormone therapies in treating transgender adolescents is a divisive issue, with some medical groups calling for a ban on the treatments for those under 18. The Queensland government’s decision not to commit to releasing the report publicly has been met with criticism from some groups, who say that it is essential to release the report transparently and compassionately. It is crucial that the government takes a considered and compassionate approach to addressing this complex issue, and that it prioritizes the needs and well-being of transgender adolescents and their families.
