We are really alarmed by the sudden decision to pause the prescription of puberty blockers to children and young people at Sandyford. This will cause great distress to your patients affected by the decision.

It has already caused anxiety and suffering in the trans community. Trans people have an attempted suicide rate of 42%. [3] This is worryingly very high and will increase if the pause on this treatment continues. 

Left untreated gender dysphoria causes great anguish and suffering.

There is no valid reason for these medications to be paused.

On 17th April 2024, The Kite Trust, an LGBT+ organisation based in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, England. Met with Dr. Hillary Cass. During this meeting Dr. Hillary Cass made a number of statements that contradict the conclusions of her review. [1]

This raises serious concerns over the validity of the decision by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the only clinic which treats under 18's in Scotland for gender dysphoria, on the 19th of April to pause the prescription of puberty blockers. [2]

We urge you to end the pause on the prescription of puberty blockers to children and young people.

[1]  Kite Trust. (2024). Q&A with Dr Hilary Cass. [online] Available at: https://thekitetrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cass-Review-Mythbusting-Q-and-A.pdf [Accessed 20 Apr. 2024].

 
[2] Scotland’s under-18s gender clinic pauses puberty blockers. (2024). BBC News. [online] 18 Apr. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-68844119 [Accessed 20 Apr. 2024].

[3] The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law (2023) More than 40% of transgender adults in the US have attempted suicide - Williams Institute. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/transpop-suicide-press-release/ [Accessed 16 May. 2024].