The HSE plans to carry out a clinical trial investigating the use of puberty blockers in trans healthcare.

Yesterday, England’s National Health Service (NHS) announced that children with gender dysphoria would no longer routinely be prescribed puberty blockers unless taking part in a clinical trial.

The BBC also reports clincians "can still apply" to have their patients prescribed the drugs "on a case-by-case basis."

The decision came after doctors concluded there was "not enough evidence" to support their safety or clinical effectiveness.

It took the decision following a review of the available evidence relating to the treatments by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

The NHS decision puts it at odds with the American Academy of Paediatrics which recently re-affirmed its support for gender-affirming care and described puberty blockers as proven to "to help reduce gender dysphoria and improve mental health".

Dublin LGBTQ Pride Manager Eddie Mc Guinness holds the Rainbow and Trans Flag, 23-08-2018. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews

Puberty blockers are used to help transgender children who feel mental distress at the prospect of going through a puberty that does not align with their gender identity.

The BBC reports that a study into their use of puberty blockers in England is likely to begin in December this year. 

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, one of Ireland’s leading transgender healthcare doctors, Prof Donal O’Shea said one is expected to begin soon in Ireland as well. 

“Paul Moran, who is one of our psychiatrists, is working closely with Dr Hillary Cass [who carried out a review into transgender healthcare in England] to look at the design of a clinical trial that will answer the question about puberty blockers - timing, duration and who is suitable,” he said. 

“That’s a really difficult trial to design because you’re going to need really long-term follow up. 

“And, in any trial, putting some people on blockers and others not on blockers… who really think they need blockers [and will be] wondering [why] they’re not taking part in that trial.” 

Professor Donal O'Shea. Picture by: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

Previously, Irish transgender patients were referred to the Tavistock Clinic in London which is due to close after a review criticised its "unquestioning affirmative approach" to transgender healthcare; instead, English children will be treated by regional clinics. 

Dr O’Shea said it is "clearly wrong" for clinicians to automatically write out a prescription for a patient and urged them to probe whether it is the correct course of action. 

“You cannot prescribe hormones on the basis of a phone call with a clinic in another country,” he said. 

“That has to stop. 

“We have to do what the HSE is now trying to do now, which is develop a model of care in line with international [best practice].” 

In the wake of the review into the Tavistock, the HSE said there were 5,000 children on the clinic’s waiting list, of whom 72 were Irish.

Main image: A transgender flag.