BMA calls for ban on puberty blockers to be reversed

The British Medical Association (BMA) is advocating for the prescription of puberty blockers for teenagers with gender dysphoria, challenging a current ban on the medication.

The doctors' union criticised the Cass review, which recommended against such treatments for those under 18, warning of the potential regret in rushing children into treatment.

The Cass review, led by the former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, had been widely supported, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting endorsing the continuation of the ban introduced by the previous Conservative government.

However, the BMA's council has voted to oppose the review's recommendations, calling for further research.

Professor Philip Banfield, the BMA’s chairman of council, announced the establishment of a task and finish group to conduct its own evaluation of the Cass review, pausing the implementation of its recommendations until their assessment is complete.

Gender-critical group Sex Matters criticised the BMA's stance, calling the union's claims about the Cass review "baseless" and urging the Health Secretary to maintain the ban.

The director of advocacy at Sex Matters, Helen Joyce stated that the BMA's motion undermined the comprehensive and authoritative Cass review.

She said, “It is a sign of how far fringe ideas about ‘gender identity’ have progressed in medicine that this motion was not dismissed out of hand. The Secretary of State for Health should stand firm and continue to implement the Cass review in full.

“The many academics and doctors who appreciated Dr Cass’s painstaking work should tell the BMA’s leadership that it does not speak for them. Too many gender-distressed children have already been harmed by clinicians who put ideology before their patients’ health and wellbeing.”

An NHS spokesman affirmed confidence in the Cass report, committing to its recommendations to ensure better and safer care for children and young people.

They said, “Dr Cass spent four years gathering evidence for the most comprehensive report of its kind, and her expertise and advice has been invaluable in supporting the NHS.

“We will shortly be publishing our plan to implement the report’s recommendations and findings, which includes setting out scope for further research, so children and young people can receive the best-possible care.”