Statement regarding statewide cessation of paediatric gender hormone treatment services

Doctors, particularly psychiatrists, general practitioners and paediatricians fear the decision will cause significant distress and harms to this already-vulnerable patient cohort, their families and treating clinicians.

This is particularly concerning given a recent Australian Government report showed LGBTQIASB+ people are at high risk of suicide and self-harm, with nearly 75 per cent considering suicide at some point in their lives.

We unequivocally support investigations of alleged non-compliance with clinical guidelines, however, they must be undertaken in good faith by independent experts free from political or other considerations. 

Treatment decisions must be made by clinicians based on the science, not ideological beliefs.  

Patients across Queensland also cannot be denied access to vital health treatments while investigations are ongoing, particularly where there is no demonstrated evidence of systemic failure. 

The Government has a duty of care to keep patients safe which includes providing time-critical health treatment. 

Access delayed tragically often amounts to access denied.

AMA Queensland is seeking urgent advice from Queensland Health about the care patients currently wait listed will receive, some of whom have been waiting up to 577 days. 

They cannot be left in limbo. 

Referring clinicians also need advice about what options now exist for patients seeking referrals for hormone treatment. 

General practitioners are already struggling to assist patients unable to access timely public hospital outpatient services and they cannot be expected to shoulder this unexpected and disruptive decision.

It is also essential that clinicians working in this field are not further harmed by insensitive and uniformed public discourse about gender services. 

We are in a health workforce crisis and cannot afford to lose any more staff from our overloaded hospitals. 

AMA Queensland again urges the Government to follow the recommendations of last year’s independent review of the Queensland Children’s Gender Service. 

That review was conducted by highly qualified and experienced doctors, researchers and people with lived experience who know the science and best practice standards for this patient cohort. 

All patients deserve health services that are safe and free from judgment and discrimination.

1. Department of Health and Aged Care, National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People 2025-2035, p22, available at: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-12/national-action-plan-for-the-health-and-wellbeing-of-lgbtiqa-people-2025-2035.pdf