Legal Challenge Launched Against Queensland's Puberty Blocker Ban for Trans Youth
A mother initiates legal proceedings over the Queensland Health Director-General's directive to freeze puberty blockers for new patients under 18 years old.
In Queensland, a mother of a transgender teenager has launched legal action against the state's Health Director-General, Dr. David Rosengren, following his directive that prohibits public medical professionals from administering puberty blockers and hormone therapy to new patients with gender dysphoria who are under 18. This directive, effective from January 28, allows adolescents who were already undergoing treatment prior to this date to continue their medication.
Queensland Health's ban does not have a specified end date but is expected to undergo a review in one year.
Dr. Rosengren implemented the health service directive amid concerns raised about the treatment practices of some professionals, particularly referencing 17 patients from the Cairns Sexual Health Service who were reported to have received hormone therapy inconsistent with established Australian treatment guidelines.
The Queensland government has initiated an independent review led by former Victorian Chief Psychiatrist Ruth Vine, aimed at assessing the evidence surrounding the use of these therapies.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls emphasized the necessity of ensuring medical treatments are based on solid evidence.
This abrupt decision has ignited significant concerns among medical professionals, including organizations such as the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health, the Australian Medical Association Queensland, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, all of which have expressed opposition to the ban.
Conversely, some psychiatrists critical of pediatric gender-affirming care have supported the government's actions.
The mother filed her application in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on March 20, asserting that Dr. Rosengren had failed to respond to her repeated requests for an explanation of the ban within the time frame stipulated by the Judicial Review Act.
The Supreme Court subsequently ordered Dr. Rosengren to furnish a statement of reasons for his decision by April 8 and also required him to cover the mother's legal costs.
The mother described her frustration at having to resort to legal means to obtain a response from the Director-General, labeling the experience as disrespectful to her family and the broader community affected by the decision.
Her daughter, who has been a patient at the Queensland Children's Gender Service for five years, was only weeks away from starting puberty blockers when the plan was halted.
As a result of the current freeze, the mother indicated that she would need to seek private medical care for her daughter, expressing deep concern about the potential psychological impact of her child experiencing male puberty.
In related developments, within days of the Queensland government's announcement, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler requested the National Health and Medical Research Council to formulate new national guidelines for treating young individuals with gender dysphoria.
He recommended that Queensland pause its review in light of the anticipated federal guidelines; however, the Queensland government declined this suggestion.
The scope of the Queensland review will encompass an analysis of the current medical and clinical evidence related to hormone treatments but explicitly states that it is not intended to yield recommendations regarding their use.
The final report is scheduled for submission to the Queensland Health Director-General by November 30.
Queensland Health's ban does not have a specified end date but is expected to undergo a review in one year.
Dr. Rosengren implemented the health service directive amid concerns raised about the treatment practices of some professionals, particularly referencing 17 patients from the Cairns Sexual Health Service who were reported to have received hormone therapy inconsistent with established Australian treatment guidelines.
The Queensland government has initiated an independent review led by former Victorian Chief Psychiatrist Ruth Vine, aimed at assessing the evidence surrounding the use of these therapies.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls emphasized the necessity of ensuring medical treatments are based on solid evidence.
This abrupt decision has ignited significant concerns among medical professionals, including organizations such as the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health, the Australian Medical Association Queensland, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, all of which have expressed opposition to the ban.
Conversely, some psychiatrists critical of pediatric gender-affirming care have supported the government's actions.
The mother filed her application in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on March 20, asserting that Dr. Rosengren had failed to respond to her repeated requests for an explanation of the ban within the time frame stipulated by the Judicial Review Act.
The Supreme Court subsequently ordered Dr. Rosengren to furnish a statement of reasons for his decision by April 8 and also required him to cover the mother's legal costs.
The mother described her frustration at having to resort to legal means to obtain a response from the Director-General, labeling the experience as disrespectful to her family and the broader community affected by the decision.
Her daughter, who has been a patient at the Queensland Children's Gender Service for five years, was only weeks away from starting puberty blockers when the plan was halted.
As a result of the current freeze, the mother indicated that she would need to seek private medical care for her daughter, expressing deep concern about the potential psychological impact of her child experiencing male puberty.
In related developments, within days of the Queensland government's announcement, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler requested the National Health and Medical Research Council to formulate new national guidelines for treating young individuals with gender dysphoria.
He recommended that Queensland pause its review in light of the anticipated federal guidelines; however, the Queensland government declined this suggestion.
The scope of the Queensland review will encompass an analysis of the current medical and clinical evidence related to hormone treatments but explicitly states that it is not intended to yield recommendations regarding their use.
The final report is scheduled for submission to the Queensland Health Director-General by November 30.
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