Patients and Parents

Government ban on puberty suppressing hormones made indefinite

The Government has announced that the existing emergency measures banning the sale and supply of puberty suppressing hormones for the treatment of gender dysphoria or incongruence in under-18s have been made indefinite.

NHS patients who are already receiving these medicines for gender dysphoria or incongruence can continue to access them, as can patients receiving the medicines for other uses.

A targeted support from local NHS mental health services in England is being extended to children and young people whose access to puberty suppressing hormones have been discontinued (for example, prescriptions from non-UK prescribers) and who are not on the waiting list of children's gender services. These children, young people and their families can access this service, by contacting agem.cyp-gnrss@nhs.net or calling 0300 131 6775 and selecting option 3.

Ban on puberty blockers to be made indefinite on experts' advice

The Medicines (Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone Analogues) (Emergency Prohibition) (Extension) Order 2024 (legislation.gov.uk)

The waiting list

Children and young people are being seen in order of their original referral date.

Please do not contact any of the CYP Gender Service providers about your referral or about your time on the waiting list as they will not have this information and advise you to contact us.

There are currently 3 CYP Providers in the North West, South West and London. There are 2 more CYP Gender Services planned for later in the year, with others also planned for 2026.

Currently the CYP Gender Service in London has more people wanting to be seen there than other services, which is due to where it is and the ease of public transport. You may wish to consider having a 2nd choice if another service could take your referral sooner.

Where to get support while you wait

Children, young people and their families are strongly discouraged from sourcing puberty suppressing or gender affirming hormones from unregulated sources or from on-line providers that are not regulated by UK regulatory bodies.

We know that long waiting times can understandably cause anxiety and distress for young people and families.

If a child or young person is distressed, ask your GP to refer you to the local Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (CYPMHS), also known as Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

CYPMHS / CAMHS may be able to offer support while you wait for your first appointment with the Children and Young People's Gender Services.

If a child or young person has been seen and discharged from a CYP Mental Health Service, then you can contact them directly as well as going to the GP.

We have gathered some additional resources that may provide support below:

  • NHS - Live Well

    The NHS Live Well pages provide advice for teenagers confused about their gender identity.

  • Every Mind Matters

    Every Mind Matters provides support, including tips on how to improve your mental wellbeing.

  • YoungMinds

    YoungMinds has a wealth of resources on their website, as well as providing dedicated crisis services. The YoungMinds Crisis Messenger provides free crisis support every day of the week, at any time, day or night. You just need to text YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.

  • Papyrus

    Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide) provides advice and support for young people who feel like they want to take their own life, and all their advice is confidential. You can: call their helpline, HOPELineUK, on 0800 068 41 41 text them on 07786 209 687.

  • MindEd

    MindEd is a free educational resource on children, young people, adults and older people's mental health. Catalogue of resources.

  • Samaritans

    Samaritans is an organisation you can ring at any time of the day or night. They'll help you and listen to how you're feeling. You can: call them on 116 123 or email them at jo@samaritans.org

  • SHOUT

    SHOUT provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone who is struggling to cope and anyone in crisis. You can text SHOUT to 85258. This service is free on all major mobile networks.

  • ChildLine

    ChildLine provides a confidential telephone counselling service for any child with a problem. It comforts, advises, and protects. You can: call 0800 1111 any time for free have an online chat with a counsellor check out the message boards.

  • The Mix

    The Mix provides a free confidential telephone helpline and online service that aims to find young people the best help, whatever the problem. You can: call 0808 808 4994 for free - lines are open from 11am to 11pm every day access the online community email The Mix.

  • RCPSYCH

    The Royal College of Psychiatrists also has information for young people, parents and carers about young people's mental health.

Further information on help for children and young people can be found at nhs.uk.

Where to get urgent help:

If it's an emergency or you need urgent help:

  • If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now

If you or a loved one are struggling and facing a mental health crisis, you can call your local NHS urgent mental health helpline any time of day or night.

Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline. If you live in Wales click here for NHS 111 Wales.

If you need urgent support but don't want to go to A&E or call 999, you can:

  • call Samaritans on freephone 116 123 - they are always open and are there to listen
  • contact your GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment
  • contact NHS 111. For NHS 111 Wales
  • contact your local crisis team (CRHT), if you're under their care
  • If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

If you want to help someone else, see the page on the Mind website about how to help someone else seek help, including what can I do if it's an emergency.

Awareness of Online Harm for Children and Young People (CYP)

While the online world and social media may present opportunities for young people, they also present risks. Online channels can increase exposure to negative and harmful content including exposure to particular ideas and beliefs that may increase a young person's risk of self-harm and suicide by encouraging certain behaviours or exposure to online bullying. Young people may be experiencing an atmosphere of heightened emotional content online as a result of government restrictions on the use of puberty suppressing hormones (puberty blockers).

Children, young people and their families are strongly encouraged to remain vigilant about their exposure to online and social media content.

We know that a crucial step to better mental wellbeing is to connect with other people but it is important to avoid relying on technology or social media alone to build relationships. It is also important to avoid accessing websites or social media forums that may reference self-harm or suicide or increase the risk of these behaviours.

There are a variety of helpful resources to support young people and families to learn about online safety:

Online safety resources | Samaritans

Online harms: protecting children and young people | NSPCC Learning

Social Media & Mental Health | Guide For Parents | YoungMinds

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