Keira Bell wins, puberty blockers will not be given to children

[janterry]

under the age of 16 who identify as trans --without court intervention.

Although Fenella Morris QC, representing the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, argued the use of hormone blockers is "a safe and reversible treatment with a well-established history" the scientific evidence disputed those claims.

The judges ruled that the: 'long-term consequences' plus the treatment being 'innovative and experimental' means "clinicians may well regard these as cases where the authorisation of the court should be sought."

The evidence showed that the treatment is not reversible. The judge also ruled, "it is highly unlikely that a child aged 13 or under would be competent to give consent to the administration of puberty blockers.
also writing
"It is doubtful that a child aged 14 or 15 could understand and weigh the long-term risks and consequences of... puberty blockers."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9005007/High-Court-rules-puberty-blockers-transgender-clinics-landmark-case.html

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Keira Bell. The story from BBC

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-55144148

[janterry]

3. thank you

also fixed her first name - based on your post - (which I misspelled)

[CurtEastPoint]

4. No prob. I before E except after whatever! LOL!

[janterry]

2. Looks like they also expressed concerns about older children

I am looking through the judgment right now.

Here:
We do however recognise that in the light of the evidence that has emerged, and the terms of this judgment, clinicians may well consider that it is not appropriate to move to treatment, such as PBs or CSH, without the involvement of the court. We consider that it would be appropriate for clinicians to involve the court in any case where there may be any doubt as to whether the long-term best interests of a 16 or 17 year old would be served by the clinical interventions at issue in this case.

We express that view for these reasons. First, the clinical interventions involve significant, long-term and, in part, potentially irreversible long-term physical, and psychological consequences for young persons. The treatment involved is truly life changing, going as it does to the very heart of an individual’s identity. Secondly, at present, it is right to call the treatment experimental or innovative in the sense that there are currently limited studies/evidence of the efficacy or long-term effects of the treatment.

Here is the full judgment:
https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Bell-v-Tavistock-Judgment.pdf

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. This is a crummy ruling

Puberty blockers are reversible- and Trans kids aren't even the only children whom ever get them.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. As I understand it, this doesn't allow for parental consent, either?