Transgender youth orgs urge new Health Secretary James Murray to reverse NHS care restrictions
James Murray is the new Health Secretary (Image: Getty Images)
Trans and LGBTQ+ organisations are urging new Health Secretary James Murray to reverse restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare for young people, including calls to resume research into puberty blockers. The demands follow Murray being sworn in as Health Secretary after Wes Streeting resigned on 3 May.
TransActual and nine other LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organisations previously wrote to Streeting urging him to reverse course and listen to trans young people affected by his decisions. The organisations also called on NHS England medical director James Palmer to end restrictions on gender-affirming care for youth and guarantee timely, comprehensive care for all trans patients on an informed-consent basis.
FFLAG’s trustees said: “We encourage James Murray to engage with and listen hard to the voices of those most affected by these policies – trans people and their families.” They added: “We urge him to reverse the restrictions on gender-affirming care for young people, and ensure the NHS provides timely, holistic care to all trans people, on the basis of informed consent.”
Mermaids said: “We hope that the new Health Secretary will take the time to listen to and engage with trans young people, who are currently being failed.” The charity has called for NHS maximum waits to align with the 18-week standard in the NHS Constitution, and urged Murray to reverse restrictions on gender-affirming care for young people, including resuming the PATHWAYS trial into puberty-suppressing hormones.
What trans groups want next
TransActual said Streeting oversaw “a worsening crisis in trans healthcare” and called for “ending the ban on puberty blockers immediately, reinstating access to HRT on the NHS for under 18s in England and Wales, and building a healthcare system that works for all trans people”.
As per The Mirror, TransActual are “in the process of reaching out to the new Health Secretary and hope to meet with him soon”.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The NHS is for everyone, and we are committed to ensuring that transgender people receive high-quality care holistic care.” They added: “This government will continue to be led by evidence on gender services, and the safety of children and young people always comes first.”
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