This article was originally published by QNews. You can find the original article here.
The Queensland government has been criticised for halting any new patients under 18 from accessing puberty blockers and hormone treatments in the state’s health system.
LNP Health Minister Tim Nicholls (above) announced the immediate “pause” on Tuesday, alongside a new review into stage one and two hormone therapies for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria.
Nicholls said the review came after allegations of “apparently unauthorised” services delivered by the Cairns Sexual Health Service, which he said were now the subject of a health department investigation.
“The Cairns Sexual Health Service delivered an apparently unauthorised pediatric gender service without an agreed model of care to 42 pediatric gender service clients,” he said.
“17 of [them] were prescribed stage one or stage two hormone therapy in a way that may not align with accepted Australian treatment guidelines.”
Tim Nicholls said the independent external reviewer would deliver a report in early 2026.
“The review will encourage the participation of clinicians and professionals with relevant expertise, as well as young people with lived experience and their families,” he said.
However, in the meantime, no new patients under 18 could receive hormone therapies in Queensland’s public health system.
“While this review is taking place, there is a need to maintain confidence in the public health services,” Nicholls said.
“A binding health service directive will immediately pause the prescription of stage one and stage two hormone therapies to new patients in Queensland Health facilities.”
Exemption for existing patients
Health Minister Tim Nicholls explained patients “already on a treatment plan” in the Queensland Children’s Gender Service were exempt.
“I’m advised that medically, that is the appropriate procedure to follow,” he said.
“The pause will remain in effect until the government considers and acts on the outcomes of the broader review.”
Nicholls said the Queensland Children’s Gender Service would continue all other clinical support to adolescents with gender dysphoria.
“That includes psychiatric and psychological treatment, counselling, and other clinically recommended medical interventions,” he said.
He said children “will be supported” but argued gender-affirming care is “contested” and provision of care must be “grounded on solid evidence”.
‘Terrified about what this means’
Eloise Brook, CEO of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH ) said medical practitioners do follow guidelines established through research and clinical evidence.
“Hormone treatments for the small number of young people who need them are essential health care,” Brook said.
“The evidence shows that denying access to this care will cause young people immeasurable trauma, contributing to depression, anxiety and in some cases self-harm.”
Transcend Australia CEO Jeremy Wiggins said the government’s announcement is distressing for Queensland families.
“Our parents are terrified about what this will mean for their children,” Wiggins said.
“Parental consent for hormone treatments is mandatory by law in Queensland. They are heavily involved in the process.
“These families want politicians to stay out of the doctor’s office and away from their personal healthcare decisions.
“Healthcare for trans young people is essential and needs to be protected. To restrict or deny access to care is a dangerous political move. [Doing so] seeks to target an already marginalised and vulnerable group of people.
“Trans young people know who they are and what they need. We should be listening to them, their parents and their medical providers.”
Government opposes Children’s Gender Service expansion
In 2024, the LNP voted in favour of a ban on puberty blockers at the party’s annual national party conference.
Last year, an earlier independent evaluation of the Queensland Children’s Gender Service was released by the former Labor government.
It found the service provided “effective care from referral to discharge” consistent with national and international guidelines.
The earlier review found no evidence patients or their families were “hurried or coerced” into decisions.
The review recommended an expansion of services. It called for a statewide network of regional gender clinics to care for children and adolescents closer to home.
However, Tim Nicholls said the Queensland Government “does not support the expansion of the Queensland Children’s Gender Service”.
“[The government] has paused further delivery of the evaluation recommendations, pending further consideration,” he said.
He argued the previous review didn’t examine the “evidence base” for stage one and stage two hormone therapy.
“The evaluation that was undertaken was on the nature of how the service is delivered, not whether that service ought to be delivered,” he said.
‘Culture war crap’
Queensland Greens MP Michael Berkman said the earlier independent review found appropriate safeguards were in place.
“The panel recommended expanding these services to meet the demand for quality care, not to ban them,” he said.
“This is essential treatment for people born intersex and for young people experiencing gender dysphoria. Hormone therapy and puberty blockers save lives.”
Berkman accused the conservative LNP of “fixating on culture war crap” and making a “boogeyman” out of “the small percentage of children for whom this treatment is not only appropriate, but lifesaving.”
“The LNP thinks that ten years is old enough to go to prison but that a seventeen-year-old and their family can’t decide what health care they need,” he said.
The Queensland Children’s Gender Service (QCGS) was established in 2017 and provides care to children statewide. But waiting lists stretch to 12 months or longer.
As of June 2024, the service had 547 children and adolescents actively receiving care. Another 491 patients were waiting for care.
If you need support, help is available from QLife on 1800 184 527 or online at QLife.org.au, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636
