The Cairns paediatric gender health service has come under scrutiny following a 213-page review that revealed alarming practices regarding the prescription of puberty blockers for children. According to the report, many young patients, some as young as 12, were given these medications without thorough evaluations, indicating a severe oversight in patient care. The review, initiated by Queensland Health, criticized the service for fostering a "negative safety culture" that hindered proper incident reporting and risk management, leading to a lack of accountability in treatment decisions.

The analysis pointed out that many of the children receiving puberty blockers lacked the necessary capacity to understand the implications of their treatment. This raises critical ethical concerns about informed consent and the appropriateness of the prescribed medication. The recommendations from the reviewers include conducting a comprehensive audit of all patients under 18 diagnosed with gender dysphoria between 2018 and 2021 to rectify the mismanagement identified in the report.

This situation highlights the ongoing debates around gender health services for minors in Australia and the balance between affording them necessary medical care and ensuring safe and informed practices. The findings prompt a call for immediate reforms in how gender-affirming treatments are approached within pediatric healthcare, emphasizing the need for responsible practices to protect vulnerable populations while addressing their medical needs.