Tasmanian Doctors Julie Sladden and Rachel Bradley join national call to halt gender affirming interventions for gender distressed youth
WST congratulate Tasmanian Doctors Julie Sladden and Rachel Bradley for signing an Open Letter calling for the halt of gender affirming interventions for gender distressed youth.
The Open Letter signed by over 100 clinicians calls on professional bodies and regulators to acknowledge and respond to recent international and local events in the field of youth gender medicine.
The Open Letter states “gender affirming treatment model currently used in Australian public youth gender clinics, risks the health and well-being of vulnerable children and adolescents”.
“Invasive treatments such as puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and surgery hold known and potential risk of harm. These include sterility, urogenital and sexual dysfunction, effects on bone, brain and cardiovascular health”.
The Cass Review gave the Australian guidelines 19/100 for rigour of development, guidelines which are currently being used at the Tasmanian Gender Service.
Clinicians request that proper clinical practice align with the Cass Review and the National Association of Practising Psychiatrist guidelines, which recommends psychological support as the first line intervention for young people with gender-related distress.
For further information contact Dr Elizabeth Caballero (retired GP)
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