Labour moves to ban puberty blockers permanently as new Health Secretary Wes Streeting plans to stop...

Labour Aims To Permanently Ban Puberty Blockers

Posted: 9:30 AM BST, July 13, 2024 | Revised: 12:07 PM BST, July 13, 2024

The Labour party is thinking about making puberty blockers illegal forever because the new Health Secretary is reportedly planning to reintroduce the Conservative ban on the medication for those under 18.

Rules were put in place by Health Secretary Wes Streeting's predecessor Victoria Atkins to prevent private or off-shore clinics from giving puberty-blocking drugs to children. These drugs can delay puberty by suppressing the body's natural sex hormones. The laws were passed quickly as emergency measures before the general election.

But these rules are supposed to end on September 3. However, it was revealed on Friday that the prohibition could become permanent under the new Labour government.

Advocacy organizations TransActual and Good Law Project, along with a young individual who wishes to remain anonymous, are working together to contest the ruling made by the current shadow health secretary Atkins to introduce the controversial 'banning order' on puberty blockers.

During a court session on Friday, attorneys representing the organizations and a young individual argued in front of the High Court in London that the rules created by the prior government on May 29 were not legal. These rules prohibited medication prescriptions from European or private doctors, and limited access to the NHS only within certain clinical trials.

The Health and Social Care Minister of the United Kingdom, Wes Streeting, was spotted strolling outside the Prime Minister's residence at Number 10 Downing Street in London on July 9, 2024.

Author JK Rowling commended Health Secretary Wes Streeting for his decision, describing it as the correct course of action. The Labour party is currently discussing the possibility of making the ban on puberty blockers permanent.

The Department of Health and Social Care and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland are standing by their statement and argue that the case should be thrown out.

The new law was enacted following the release of the highly anticipated Cass Review by Dr. Hilary Cass, which investigated children's gender services within the NHS. The review highlighted the failure to conduct proper research and provide evidence regarding the use of puberty blockers and hormones for children.

In a statement following the hearing, Mr. Streeting emphasized that the well-being of children is our top priority.

We will still be guided by Dr. Cass's assessment, which revealed not enough proof that puberty blockers are safe for those under 18.

This restriction aligns the private sector with the NHS. We are dedicated to offering young people the quality care that is based on evidence.

On Friday, Jolyon Maugham expressed that maintaining the prohibition on puberty blockers could result in harm or even death to transgender youth.

JK Rowling immediately supported the decision in a series of previous Twitter posts on Friday and applauded Mr. Streeting for taking the 'correct' action.

In court, Judge Mrs Justice Lang was informed that the emergency order, which was described by the campaign group's legal representative as a 'criminal prohibition introduced very suddenly', could have a significant impact on over 1,000 children and their families.

Jason Coppel, representing KC, informed the court that an order was issued urgently to prevent the sale and distribution of drugs in order to protect public health and safety.

Mr. Coppel then stated that Ms. Atkins made decisions based on her own opinions regarding the findings of the Cass Review. He mentioned that the review did not find puberty blockers to be harmful to patients' health but instead stated that there was insufficient evidence about their effectiveness.

On Friday, lawyer Jolyon Maugham criticized the Health Secretary for proposing to extend the emergency restrictions put in place at the end of the Conservative government's term.

He expressed that it was necessary for families to go abroad to Europe or relocate overseas in order for young people to have access to medication.

The lawyer, who runs the Good Law Project, has collected nearly £60,000 for a legal dispute against the temporary ban. He expressed his strong disapproval on social media as the case started in the High Court yesterday, saying 'I have strong negative feelings towards Wes Streeting that I can't even put into words. These restrictions will be harmful to transgender children.'

The new Government's choice to ban puberty blockers marks a significant advancement in addressing trans-related matters.