Summary
The UK Health Secretary is considering restricting or banning the private prescription of cross-sex hormones to people under 18. An expert panel will provide a report in July on this issue. A court has dismissed a call for a more extensive judicial review, noting that the government is already addressing the topic.
Key Facts
- The Health Secretary is looking into possible restrictions on private prescriptions of cross-sex hormones for those under 18.
- An expert panel is expected to report on the use of these hormones in July.
- The court dismissed a request for a full judicial review because the government is actively reviewing the situation.
- Cross-sex hormones help people develop physical traits of their identified gender, different from their biological sex.
- Current NHS rules allow prescribing these hormones to individuals aged 16 and over.
- Puberty blockers, which are different from cross-sex hormones, stop the onset of puberty.
- Campaigner Keira Bell, who once took cross-sex hormones, supports the potential ban on private prescriptions.
- Government officials are exploring other legal approaches to address private and overseas hormone prescriptions for minors.
