Judge Okays Puberty Blockers for Kids. Tavistock Clinic is Delighted

A judge has ruled that it is in the hands of docyors to decide if under-16s can give informed consent to the use of puberty blockers.

The appeal was brought by the Tavistock Trust, which runs the UK's only youth gender identity clinic.

The decision reverses a 2020 ruling that under-16s lacked capacity to give informed consent to the treatment, which delays the onset of puberty.

The original case was brought by Keira Bell, who says the clinic should have challenged her more over transitioning.

She said she was disappointed by the decision, and will seek permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

In March, a separate judgement from the court's Family Division had ruled parents could give consent for under-16s to access puberty blockers, with other safeguarding measures considered.

The Tavistock temporarily paused new referrals to its endocrinology service following the rulings.