Health Secretary Wes Streeting has issued a stern warning to the Conservative party over its stance on gender identity services, urging his own party to maintain a cross-party consensus that was established before last year's election. In a letter to opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, Streeting called for "the heat and ideology" to be taken out of the debate surrounding a trial on puberty blockers for children.
The trial, which is set to study over 200 children with gender identity conditions, has sparked controversy within the party. Badenoch and shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew had expressed concerns about the NHS's support for a clinical trial involving drugs that halted natural puberty, citing "remarkably weak" evidence on the treatment's effectiveness.
However, Streeting argues that only a clinical trial can determine whether the treatment is effective in treating gender-related distress, adding that there is no good evidence on long-term outcomes. He stressed the importance of taking "the heat and ideology out of this issue" to ensure children's health is led by evidence and medical expertise.
Streeting also highlighted the need for proper control groups in the trial, which he claims will not be present due to the opposition's concerns. He argued that a group of young people not receiving puberty blockers would also be studied and compared to trial participants with respect to outcomes.
The controversy surrounding the trial has sparked debate about the nature of gender identity services for under 18s in England. The issue was previously addressed by leading paediatrician Hilary Cass, who recommended a puberty blocker trial as part of a wider research programme.
The trial, which is set to study over 200 children with gender identity conditions, has sparked controversy within the party. Badenoch and shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew had expressed concerns about the NHS's support for a clinical trial involving drugs that halted natural puberty, citing "remarkably weak" evidence on the treatment's effectiveness.
However, Streeting argues that only a clinical trial can determine whether the treatment is effective in treating gender-related distress, adding that there is no good evidence on long-term outcomes. He stressed the importance of taking "the heat and ideology out of this issue" to ensure children's health is led by evidence and medical expertise.
Streeting also highlighted the need for proper control groups in the trial, which he claims will not be present due to the opposition's concerns. He argued that a group of young people not receiving puberty blockers would also be studied and compared to trial participants with respect to outcomes.
The controversy surrounding the trial has sparked debate about the nature of gender identity services for under 18s in England. The issue was previously addressed by leading paediatrician Hilary Cass, who recommended a puberty blocker trial as part of a wider research programme.
it's crazy how people are still throwing around ideology when we're talking about actual kids 
. Wes Streeting is right on point - we need to get the politics out of this and focus on what's best for our young people's health. Puberty blockers aren't a silver bullet, but they might be a good option for some kids struggling with their identity. We should be supporting evidence-based research, not just because it's popular or party line 
. The fact that some MPs are being so reckless about this trial is concerning... we need to have more constructive conversations about how to support our youth through tough times 
.
I'm literally shook rn! Like, can't believe the Conservative party is being so unreasonable about this whole gender identity thing. Wes Streeting is like, totally on point 
, urging them to keep it civil and focus on the science behind puberty blockers for kids. It's not like they're asking for a lot, just some basic evidence and medical expertise 
. And can we pls talk about how worried I am for those 200 kids who are gonna be participating in this trial? Their health and well-being should be our top priority 
, not some party politics drama 
. Stuart Andrew's concerns are valid, but Badenoch's ideology-driven stance is just... no 
. Streeting's right, let's keep the heat out of it and trust our medical experts to do their thing 
!
. Wes Streeting is like the voice of reason in a party that's always trying to stir up drama. I mean, can you imagine if they actually took all the ideology out of it? 
. Newsflash, dude: times change, kids grow up, and puberty blockers are a thing now 
. We need to trust the experts and let them do their thing.
. I mean, who cares about party politics when it comes to kids' health? Stuart Andrew's concerns are valid, but we need to separate them from the emotional rhetoric and focus on what really matters – ensuring our NHS provides the best care possible for these young people 
. This trial is a game-changer, and let's hope the opposition doesn't try to block it 
And can't they just focus on finding a solution for these poor kids who are struggling with their identities without making everything about party politics? 
This trial is all about giving medical experts a chance to figure out what works best for kids, not about scoring points against the other side. Let's keep the debate civil and focus on what really matters - the health and well-being of our young people! 
. You gotta keep politics outta med school and just let the docs do their thang 
. All this heat 'n' ideology? Can't we just focus on what's best for these kids? 
. The fact that there's no solid evidence on long-term outcomes doesn't mean it won't work – we're talking about a treatment here! And let's not forget, it's been recommended by leading paediatricians like Hilary Cass 
.
I'm no expert, but it sounds like that wouldn't be possible if the opposition has those concerns. So what's the alternative? Just ignore the science and hope for the best?
also gotta agree with him about proper control groups...it's like, we cant just compare kids who got treatment to those who didnt without it being a legit study 
It seems like a slippery slope where we can't agree on anything unless it's rock-solid proof. And even then, who gets to decide what's "rock-solid" and what's not? Shouldn't we be having this conversation with experts in the field rather than just politicians? 
. And now they're worried about kids not getting puberty blockers because there won't be a control group? What does that even say about their priorities?