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health13h ago
I’m a GP – here’s why the puberty blockers trial must go ahead
- NHS England halted access to puberty blockers for 16- and 17-year-olds while a clinical review is conducted.
- The move follows the Cass review, which found the evidence for puberty blockers is remarkably weak.
- Pathways, the puberty blockers trial at King’s College London, was paused due to MHRA concerns about risks.
- Experts say observational NHS data may not yield high-quality evidence needed to guide treatment.
- The piece places the debate within a broader history of transgender healthcare and research challenges.
- The article highlights regulatory and ethical concerns delaying clinical trials in youth.
- Experts caution against misinterpreting trial design concepts like control groups and randomisation.
- There is political attention on the issue, with parliamentary debate anticipated.
- The article notes the potential of analyzing NHS clinic records to shed light on long-term outcomes.
- The article situates the UK's Pathways and policy changes within a broader culture war over transgender healthcare.
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