Yesterday the UK high court decided under 16's can't give informed consent about puberty blockers.
'Children under 16 with gender dysphoria are unlikely to be able to give informed consent to undergo treatment with puberty-blocking drugs, three High Court judges have ruled'
One of the claimants, Keira Bell, said she was "delighted" by the judgment.
Ms Bell, 23, from Cambridge, had been referred to the Tavistock Centre, which runs the UK's only gender-identity development service (GIDS), as a teenager and was prescribed puberty blockers aged 16.
She argued the clinic should have challenged her more over her decision to transition to a male as a teenager.
In a ruling, Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting with Lord Justice Lewis and Mrs Justice Lieven, said: "It is highly unlikely that a child aged 13 or under would be competent to give consent to the administration of puberty blockers.
"It is doubtful that a child aged 14 or 15 could understand and weigh the long-term risks and consequences of the administration of puberty blockers."
At a High Court hearing in October, lawyers representing the claimants said there was "a very high likelihood" children who start taking hormone blockers will later begin taking cross-sex hormones, which they say cause "irreversible changes"
The NHS says It welcomes the clarity and will implement the decision immediately.
Thoughts? Personally I'm very happy with this decision. For once a legal decision isn't pandering and is looking out for the health and mental wellbeing of our children.
'Children under 16 with gender dysphoria are unlikely to be able to give informed consent to undergo treatment with puberty-blocking drugs, three High Court judges have ruled'
One of the claimants, Keira Bell, said she was "delighted" by the judgment.
Ms Bell, 23, from Cambridge, had been referred to the Tavistock Centre, which runs the UK's only gender-identity development service (GIDS), as a teenager and was prescribed puberty blockers aged 16.
She argued the clinic should have challenged her more over her decision to transition to a male as a teenager.
In a ruling, Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting with Lord Justice Lewis and Mrs Justice Lieven, said: "It is highly unlikely that a child aged 13 or under would be competent to give consent to the administration of puberty blockers.
"It is doubtful that a child aged 14 or 15 could understand and weigh the long-term risks and consequences of the administration of puberty blockers."
At a High Court hearing in October, lawyers representing the claimants said there was "a very high likelihood" children who start taking hormone blockers will later begin taking cross-sex hormones, which they say cause "irreversible changes"
The NHS says It welcomes the clarity and will implement the decision immediately.
Thoughts? Personally I'm very happy with this decision. For once a legal decision isn't pandering and is looking out for the health and mental wellbeing of our children.