UK policy on puberty blockers and hormone treatment for minors
The UK's PATHWAYS clinical trial into puberty blockers was paused on February 21, 2026, following concerns raised by the MHRA regarding the wellbeing of young participants and potential long-term biological harms, recommending a minimum age of 14. As of March 1, 2026, Professor Jacob George, chief medical and scientific officer at the MHRA, was removed from further involvement in the trial due to accusations of bias, despite his social media posts predating his appointment. The pause comes amid legal challenges from campaigners, including Keira Bell and the Bayswater Support Group, who launched legal action on February 6, 2026, arguing the trial is an "unethical experiment" with flawed ethical approval. This follows NHS England's decision on March 13, 2024, to no longer routinely offer puberty blockers for gender-related distress, confining their use to research settings, and an indefinite ban on puberty blockers for under-18s due to safety risks.
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4 updates
2026
4 updatesProfessor Jacob George, chief medical and scientific officer at the MHRA, has been removed from further involvement in the Pathways puberty blockers trial due to accusations of bias. George had raised concerns that led to the trial being paused. The MHRA stated his removal was a precaution, despite his social media posts predating his appointment.
The UK's PATHWAYS clinical trial into puberty blockers has been paused following concerns raised by the MHRA about the wellbeing of young participants. The MHRA has advised a minimum age of 14, citing potential long-term biological harms. Discussions are ongoing between the MHRA and King's College London, the trial sponsor, and recruitment will not begin until these issues are resolved. This pause comes amid legal challenges from campaigners who describe the trial as an "unethical experiment."
via news.sky.com
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) raised "new concerns" about the PATHWAYS clinical trial into puberty blockers, recommending a minimum age limit of 14 due to "unquantified risk" of long-term biological harms. Consequently, the Department of Health and Social Care announced that preliminary work on the trial has been paused.
via gov.uk·news.sky.com
Campaigners, including Keira Bell and the Bayswater Support Group, launched legal action against the Health Research Authority and the Department of Health and Social Care, seeking to suspend the upcoming clinical trial of puberty blockers. They argued that the ethical approval process was flawed and that the trial posed risks to vulnerable children due to potential irreversible damage to fertility.
2024
2 updates
2024
2 updatesNHS England confirmed that puberty blockers would no longer be available as routine treatment for children experiencing gender-related distress. This decision followed a public consultation and the recommendations of the Cass Review. The use of puberty blockers would be confined to research settings, with any exceptions requiring an "Individual Funding Request" to demonstrate exceptional circumstances.
NHS England has paused new referrals for masculinising or feminising hormone treatment for under-18s, citing insufficient evidence. This follows the pause of a puberty blocker trial that had not yet recruited participants. The UK government later announced an indefinite ban on puberty blockers for individuals under 18 with gender dysphoria, deeming their use an unacceptable safety risk.
via The BMJ
2022
1 update
2022
1 updateNHS England announced the closure of the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at the Tavistock clinic, citing concerns that a single specialist provider model was "not safe" and that the clinic was overwhelmed with referrals. The service was to be replaced by a network of regional centres to provide more holistic care and reduce waiting times.
2021
1 update
2021
1 updateThe Court of Appeal overturned a High Court ruling that had made it harder for children to consent to puberty blockers. The Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust won its challenge against the previous ruling, which had stated that doctors might need court authorization for treatments for under-18s. The appeal judges found it "inappropriate" for the High Court to issue such guidance, which had placed patients, parents, and clinicians in a difficult position.
2020
1 update
2020
1 updateThe High Court ruled that puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones are experimental treatments and cannot be given to children under 13 without court application, and are "very doubtful" for 14 and 15-year-olds. The ruling, stemming from a case brought by Keira Bell, stated that children under 13 are highly unlikely to be able to give informed consent, and it is doubtful that older adolescents fully understand the long-term risks. This judgment highlighted concerns about the lack of robust evidence for the benefits of these treatments.
Story began · 5 years, 4 mo ago