Good afternoon. The Ministry of Health has finally released its research on puberty blockers for kids. The review reckons there is a lack of evidence to show that these things are effective or safe for young people. Diana Sophati is the Director General of Health. Hey Diana, Hi, Heather, So have you guys basically come to the same conclusion as the Cash report in the UK that found there's not enough evidence that these things are safe or clinically effective for kids.

Good afternoon. The Ministry of Health has finally released its research on puberty blockers for kids. The review reckons there is a lack of evidence to show that these things are effective or safe for young people. Diana Sophati is the Director General of Health. Hey Diana, Hi, Heather, So have you guys basically come to the same conclusion as the Cash report in the UK that found there's not enough evidence that these things are safe or clinically effective for kids.

We've come to a very similar conclusion that the evidence around puberty blockers is very poor, both on their potential benefits and their potential risks.

We've come to a very similar conclusion that the evidence around puberty blockers is very poor, both on their potential benefits and their potential risks.

So if we've come to the same conclusion, do you expect the outcome to be the same, which is that in the UK the government then moved to basically ban the routine use. Is that basically what's going to happen here.

So if we've come to the same conclusion, do you expect the outcome to be the same, which is that in the UK the government then moved to basically ban the routine use. Is that basically what's going to happen here.

Look, all countries that have looked at this issue have come to the same conclusion that the evidence is very poor, and then the response to that has been quite different. So in the UK and in some Scandinavian countries they've moved to more or less ban the use of puberty blockers, But in other countries like Australia and most of Canada, they have the guidance and standards, but puberty blockers are still available. So the way that countries are responding to that varies.

Look, all countries that have looked at this issue have come to the same conclusion that the evidence is very poor, and then the response to that has been quite different. So in the UK and in some Scandinavian countries they've moved to more or less ban the use of puberty blockers, But in other countries like Australia and most of Canada, they have the guidance and standards, but puberty blockers are still available. So the way that countries are responding to that varies.

Right, So which way are we going to go?

Right, So which way are we going to go?

At the moment? What we've done is we have released a position statement and what that does it ensures that those medicines are used with appropriate caution, so only by experienced clinicians and in the context of good wrap around care for young people in their families. And then at the same time, the government has asked us to go out and consult on whether or not further restrictions would be white in the New Zealand contract.

At the moment? What we've done is we have released a position statement and what that does it ensures that those medicines are used with appropriate caution, so only by experienced clinicians and in the context of good wrap around care for young people in their families. And then at the same time, the government has asked us to go out and consult on whether or not further restrictions would be white in the New Zealand contract.

All right, So these clinicians with experience and gender affirming care, how many of them have we got in the country.

All right, So these clinicians with experience and gender affirming care, how many of them have we got in the country.

I don't have a number specifically on that because they come from various backgrounds. So they can be pediatricians for example, they can be general practitioners with special interest in this area. They can be psychologists or psychiatrist.

I don't have a number specifically on that because they come from various backgrounds. So they can be pediatricians for example, they can be general practitioners with special interest in this area. They can be psychologists or psychiatrist.

How do they self nominate and say, yep, I feel like I can do it. I've got some gender affirming care experience, I'll do it.

How do they self nominate and say, yep, I feel like I can do it. I've got some gender affirming care experience, I'll do it.

Yeah. They have to be able to demonstrate that they have experience and gender affirming care, and we do have some a number of clinics with a lot of experience in this area. So what the standards do is they set that expectation on commissions, which is is what we normally do in relation to clinical standards, so that we can then hold them into account if they.

Yeah. They have to be able to demonstrate that they have experience and gender affirming care, and we do have some a number of clinics with a lot of experience in this area. So what the standards do is they set that expectation on commissions, which is is what we normally do in relation to clinical standards, so that we can then hold them into account if they.

Do not say that, do they just go I think, come up to it. I'm going to do it, or do they have to come to you and say I think I'm up to it and you go, yes, you're allowed to do it.

Do not say that, do they just go I think, come up to it. I'm going to do it, or do they have to come to you and say I think I'm up to it and you go, yes, you're allowed to do it.

It's like other areas of medicine. There's no specific, you know, process to determine that. But what it does mean is that they can be held to account by, for example, the Medical Council, and if they are unable to demonstrate that they do have a whole level of experience to gender affirming care, that would be problematic for them.

It's like other areas of medicine. There's no specific, you know, process to determine that. But what it does mean is that they can be held to account by, for example, the Medical Council, and if they are unable to demonstrate that they do have a whole level of experience to gender affirming care, that would be problematic for them.

Okay, so do you expect the number of puberty blockers prescribed to drop off from now?

Okay, so do you expect the number of puberty blockers prescribed to drop off from now?

Yeah, you know, we're already seeing it happening. So actually, the peak prescription for puby blockers were at was actually around about sort of twenty twenty one, around about then in the last couple of years we're already starting to see a drop off and the rate of prescribing, so I would expect that that trend is likely to continue, although of course we'll have to wait and see.

Yeah, you know, we're already seeing it happening. So actually, the peak prescription for puby blockers were at was actually around about sort of twenty twenty one, around about then in the last couple of years we're already starting to see a drop off and the rate of prescribing, so I would expect that that trend is likely to continue, although of course we'll have to wait and see.

Hey, thank you very much, Diana, appreciate it. Diana Safacei, who's the Director General of Health. For more from Heather Duplessy Allen Drive, listen live to news talks. They'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.

Hey, thank you very much, Diana, appreciate it. Diana Safacei, who's the Director General of Health. For more from Heather Duplessy Allen Drive, listen live to news talks. They'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.