Summarised by Centrist
Despite Ministry of Health experts completing an evidence brief months ago, the release of new guidelines on the use of puberty blockers in New Zealand has been delayed.
The document assesses the safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes of prescribing puberty blockers to young transgender patients and has been in the hands of Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey since early 2024.
However, it remains sealed while the minister continues to “actively consider” the findings.
Ministry officials had initially prepared to release the updated guidelines by the end of 2023, with an expected publication date in early 2024. By April, a media release and talking points were prepared for Doocey, indicating a planned public release. “We had the green light and were ready to publish,” officials said in documents obtained under the Official Information Act. However, the release was postponed, with new deadlines in April, July, and August, all of which were missed.
The delay coincides with international debates on the use of puberty blockers, particularly after the release of the UK’s Cass Review, which raised concerns about the “remarkably weak evidence” supporting the long-term efficacy of these treatments.
The NHS in England has since limited the use of puberty blockers. Doocey defended the decision to delay the release of New Zealand’s updated advice, stating: “We are taking the time needed to ensure the most up-to-date advice has been considered.”
