LNP government bans hormone therapy for new patients

The Queensland Health Minister, Tim Nicholls, is facing scrutiny over his decision to pause hormone therapy for new young patients with gender dysphoria. This pause was initiated in response to allegations that a health service in Cairns provided unauthorized treatments to pediatric patients. Nicholls claimed that the Cairns Sexual Health Service had administered hormone therapy to 42 patients without proper consent from parents. He announced a review of these practices, which he said would take around ten months to complete. However, two months later, no reviewer has been appointed, and the pause on treatment remains indefinite. A recent investigation revealed a three-page risk assessment related to these allegations. This assessment noted that while some patients had parental consent for hormone therapy, there were cases without clear documentation. It highlighted issues with how consent was managed, especially in situations involving estranged parents. The report also mentioned concerns that if public services are discontinued, children might seek care in less regulated private environments, which could be riskier. Currently, there are over 400 young patients waiting for services from Queensland's Children's Gender Service. Nicholls' office has not clarified whether a risk assessment was done before halting hormone therapy for new patients. The government has commissioned separate reviews to address complaints from clinicians and families, with findings expected by the end of April and June. Questions remain about how these new reviews will differ from previous evaluations of the service.