Ban on puberty blockers made indefinite

The NHS stopped the routine prescription of puberty blocker treatments to under 18s in March 2024, following a review into gender identity services. Puberty blockers for the treatment of gender incongruence and/or gender dysphoria in under 18s were banned temporarily by the government in May 2024 after the review doubted their safety. Legislation has been updated to make the order indefinite and will be reviewed in 2027.

NHS patients who are already receiving these medicines for gender dysphoria or incongruence can continue to access them, as can patients receiving the medicines for other uses.

For children and young people whose access to puberty suppressing hormones have been discontinued (for example, prescriptions from non-UK prescribers) and are not on the waiting list of children’s gender services, NHS England will offer a targeted support from local NHS mental health services in England. Children, young people and their families can access this service, which is being coordinated through NHS Arden and GEM Commissioning Support Unit, by contacting agem.cyp-gnrss@nhs.net or calling 03001316775 and selecting option 3.