Thursday 12th December 2024
As LGBTQ+ sector organisations, we are deeply disappointed that the UK Government has decided to continue criminalising the prescription of puberty suppressing medicines for trans children and young people outside of a proposed NHS research study.
Every single child and young person, across all nations of the UK, should be able to get the care that they need to grow up happy and healthy. To be supported by well trained, knowledgeable professionals who can make the right decisions with them, and who have access to appropriate medical treatments. To not have to wait too long or travel too far.
And right now, that simply isn’t what’s happening for trans and gender diverse children and young people across the UK. This decision will not make things better.
The Government is entirely disregarding the voices of trans youth, who made clear their deep opposition to the restriction of private prescriptions for puberty blockers during consultation. This is particularly concerning given the lack of information about the proposed study and concerns raised about it by the Council of Europe.
The Government’s approach will further harm and alienate trans children and young people and their families, who already experience significant barriers and discrimination when accessing the services that are meant to support them.
We will continue to advocate for timely, supportive and holistic healthcare access for all. It is vital the NHS now steps up its efforts to substantially reduce the 6+ year waiting lists, through a rapid expansion of youth gender identity services that recognise and support trans young people’s experiences, including access to puberty suppressing medicines and gender affirming hormones where appropriate.
To all the trans children and young people reading this: you are not alone – trans and gender non-conforming youth have always existed and found ways to thrive throughout youth and into adulthood. As LGBTQ+ organisations, we are here to support you, listen to your concerns and we won’t stop advocating for your needs.
We know that this decision has had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on the lives of some young people. We encourage people to write and post responsibly about this matter, bearing in mind the impact this can have on the mental health of others.
You can get in touch with any of the services below if you need someone to talk to:
• Mermaids Helpline and Webchat services are open Monday to Friday, 1pm-8:30pm
on 0808 801 0400
• LGBT Youth Scotland available on web chat Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
Not for wider sharing 11th December 2024
• LGBT Health and Wellbeing Scotland Helpline available Tuesday to Thursday, 12-
9pm and Sunday 1-6pm
• Papyrus, Samaritans and Shout, who are able to support anyone concerned about their mental health
Organisations
• Mermaids
• The Kite Trust
• Free2B Alliance
• The Rainbow Project
• The Proud Trust
• Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary and Community Organisations
• Gendered Intelligence
• Equality Network
• Scottish Trans
• TransActual
• Rainbow Migration
• LGBT Youth Scotland
• Galop
• Stonewall
• Sparkle
Supported by IGLYO and Transgender Europe (TGEU)
FAQ
I’m impacted by these restrictions and needs mental health support, where can I go for support?
NHS England is offering of a quicker assessment by local NHS mental health services to children and young people in England who are not on the waiting list of the CYP Gender Service and whose access to puberty suppressing hormones may be changed by these restrictions.
This support can be contacted by email on [email protected] or by calling 0300 131 6775 and selecting option 3. This support is contactable until 31 March 2025.
The contact will be supported by clinical nurse specialists with experience in providing advice to families with a child or young person with gender incongruence and/or gender dysphoria.
I am on the waiting list of the CYP Gender Service and need mental health support, where can I go for support?
NHS England will continue to provide mental health support for those on the waiting list if they or their parents/carers/guardians feel it is needed. Additionally, the NHS 111 service deals with urgent mental health needs and should provide support and advice related to these restrictions.
Where else can I go for mental health support?
For LGBTQ+ support:
- The Samaritans – call for free 116 123, or email [email protected] (it may take several days to receive a response by email)
- SHOUT: free, 24/7 mental health text support in the UK – text ‘HEAR’ to 85258
- Childline – call for free on 0800 1111
- LGBT+ Switchboard – 0800 0119 100, 10pm – 10pm every day, email and text chat available on their website
- Mindline Trans+ – 0300 330 5468, 8-11pm on Fridays
For local support in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough:
Keep Your Head brings together reliable information on mental health and wellbeing for children, young people, adults, professionals, and schools across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.
Free, confidential support for young people up to the age of 25. Sexual health, family problems, mental health, housing, money, benefits, and more.
CPSL Mind’s fresh approach to community-based wellbeing support for adults is focused on individual strengths and skills, encouraging peer support and community connectivity.
If I’ve already taken these medicines (or have been prescribed these medicines) in the 6 months prior to 3 June 2024, can I continue to take them?
Yes, as long as your prescription is now issued by a UK registered prescriber.
What do I do if I was previously was prescribed my GnRH agonists by an European prescriber and I now can’t find an NHS prescriber willing to manage my prescription?
You should go to the NHS, through whichever route, and the NHS should ensure that you receive a quick and appropriate specialist assessment of your needs, and access to other support as required. Speak with your GP in the first instance.
Once I go to the NHS for a specialist assessment, will I continue being prescribed GnRH agonists?
A decision will be made through the special assessment to determine if you will continue to be prescribed GnRH agonists regularly or not.
If it is decided I will regularly be prescribed GnRH agonists, where will I go for care?
For individuals where a decision is made to continue regularly prescribed GnRH agonists, care should be undertaken by specialist gender services.
Where is the nearest specialist gender service?
NHS England currently has 3 specialist children and young people’s specialist gender services. One in London, the North West (Manchester), and the South West (Bristol). A fourth is planned to open in the East of England (likely Cambridge) in the spring of 2025. By 2026: NHS England plans to have a specialist gender service for children and young people in each of the 7 NHS regions.
Will the indefinite ban be reviewed?
The indefinite ban is set to be reviewed in 2027.
Did the majority of the respondents to the consultation support the indefinite ban?
No, 59% of respondents opposed the indefinite ban and 14% were neither for nor against.