This is PATHA's submission to Manatū Hauora the Ministry of Health's consultation on possible further restrictions to access puberty blockers. This submission has been developed amongst PATHA's Policy & Advocacy and Executive Committees, and draws on the professional expertise of both clinicians and community members amongst PATHA's membership.

Summary of PATHA Recommendations

• Puberty blockers should be prescribed as per international and Aotearoa New Zealand guidelines.

• The process of prescribing or initiating puberty blockers do not require restrictions, given that they are currently prescribed in line with best practice.

• Support, continuing professional development and funding should be provided to enable clinicians to provide accessible care throughout Aotearoa. 

• Restrictions around which clinicians initiate puberty blockers are not required, given that they are currently prescribed in line with best practice.

• Puberty blocker initiation should not be restricted to certain specialties. In Aotearoa, a range of prescribing clinicians should be able to provide this care.

• Clinicians initiating puberty blockers should have an understanding of up to date international best practice and guidelines. Experience working in this area, or support by other experienced clinicians, is important.

• Primary care prescribers with appropriate expertise and support should be able to continue prescribing and initiating puberty blockers in the context of a multidisciplinary team.

• All clinicians initiating puberty blockers should be working as part of an MDT. How this may be configured, and operate, will depend upon which resources and health professionals are available. MDTs may be virtual and may involve correspondence. 

• Access to multidisciplinary team members, including psychologists, counsellors, social workers and peer support workers, should be supported and resourced.

• Any young person with gender incongruence who is seeking puberty blockers and who meets the WPATH Standards of Care 8 criteria should be able to access puberty blockers by having access to an informed consent approach supported by an MDT. Access to puberty blockers should not be further restricted in any way.

• There is currently regional variation in access to puberty blockers. Funding is required to ensure equitable access to puberty blockers around the country.

Read the full submission here:

Puberty_Blockers_Submission-WebVersion.pdf