Independent Review into puberty blockers released

• The Crisafulli Government has published the Independent Review Advice Report into the use of puberty suppression (Stage 1) and gender affirming (Stage 2) hormones for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria in Queensland public hospitals. 
• After considering the Review’s broad policy options, the Government will continue the pause on initiating Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies for minors with gender dysphoria in Queensland’s public health system, pending the results of the UK PATHWAYS TRIAL in 2031.
• The Crisafulli Government remains committed to providing health care that is in the best interests of Queensland children and adolescents. 

The Crisafulli Government will continue its pause on the initiation of Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria in Queensland’s public hospitals.  

This pause will remain in place until the results of the PATHWAYS TRIAL in the United Kingdom are known in 2031.  

The decision made by the Government follows similar moves in other countries, including in the United Kingdom, where the Government changed legislation to restrict the prescription and supply of puberty blockers to children.   

France, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden have all also tightened regulations around prescribing hormone therapy to children and adolescents.    

At the start of the year, the Federal Government also launched its own review into the current provision of care for minors, with advice on the use of puberty blockers expected by the middle of 2026. 

The Government is of the view that it is in the public interest that the provision of health care to children in our public hospitals should be based on the strongest available evidence. 

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said these decisions followed an extensive Independent Review led by Professor Ruth Vine, which today has been made publicly available.