Letter from a RANZCP member, Prof Philip Morris AM

The Queensland government announced on 28 January (i) a clinical review and investigation of its Cairns Sexual Health Service as well as (ii) a broader review of the evidence for hormone therapy treatment for paediatric gender services to be undertaken, and (iii) an immediate pause of hormone therapy for public patients under the age of 18 (see statement here).

In view of this concern of the Queensland government about the use of puberty blockers and gender affirming hormones in children and young people, will the RANZCP be making a submission on the place, status, effectiveness, adverse effects, and clinical utility of these drugs to the Queensland government’s independently led broad review of the evidence for Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies for children in Queensland?

Who will develop this submission by the College?

Will the submission be made public to all College members before it is submitted to the Queensland review?

I look forward to your speedy reply.  

College response RANZCP President, Dr Elizabeth Moore

Dear Phillip,

Thank you for your email regarding the Queensland Government Health Service Directive restricting provision of puberty blocking hormone treatment and gender affirming hormone treatment to children and adolescents under 18 years of age with Gender Dysphoria, pending an independent review into their use. This matter was addressed in my President’s Update dated 30 January 2025.

Consistent with Position Statement 103: The role of psychiatrists in working with Trans and Gender Diverse people, the College is committed to respectful, sensitive and appropriate mental healthcare for children and adolescents experiencing gender incongruence or gender dysphoria. Assessment and treatment should, at all times, be patient-centred and evidence-informed, underpinned by empathy and respect. The Position Statement further recognises the need for better access to and consistency of care across Australia and New Zealand for TGD children and adolescents, including outcomes monitoring.

The College has joined with other organisations in asking for reconsideration of the blanket nature of the freeze and seeking clarification with the Queensland Government on the next steps in the review process. The blanket halt does not allow high quality services in this sensitive practice area to continue to provide evidence-informed care with consent. It has caused significant distress in an already vulnerable patient cohort.

You would also have seen that, on 31 January 2025, the Hon Mark Butler MP announced that the NHMRC would undertake a review of the Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines for Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents in Australia and develop new national guidelines. The Minister indicated that interim advice on the use of puberty blockers was anticipated in mid-2026 and that further project details would be available from the NHMRC shortly. 

The College will monitor developments with both the Federal and Queensland reviews and update members accordingly on the proposed approach for any College response. 

I will also, as you request, submit your letter to the Your Say section of the next Psyche newsletter, due to go out at the end of February 2025. 

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me via policy@ranzcp.org

Kind regards,

Dr Elizabeth Moore
President