NHS England has announced a pause on new referrals for masculinising or feminising hormone treatment for 16 and 17-year-olds after an extensive review determined that there is insufficient clinical evidence to support its use. Previously, under-18s diagnosed with gender incongruence or dysphoria could access these prescriptions if they met certain criteria. However, this decision reflects a growing concern over the lack of robust evidence surrounding the treatment's effectiveness and safety in this age group.

The decision follows recommendations from the Cass review, led by Hilary Cass, which advised extreme caution in administering such treatments to minors. The review emphasized the need for a clear clinical justification for prescribing hormone therapy before patients reach 18 years of age. As a result, NHS England undertook its own review of the clinical evidence available, which ultimately indicated that the data was too weak to ascertain whether hormone treatment had beneficial or harmful effects on children experiencing gender dysphoria.

At the moment, the NHS is continuing its evaluation of children's gender care and further assessments are likely to inform future policies regarding hormone treatments for adolescents. This pause raises important discussions around the appropriate age for such medical interventions and the need for comprehensive research into the long-term implications of gender-affirming treatments in minors, as well as ensuring the welfare of young people navigating their gender identities.