Media Release: Activist organisation pressures MoH to release controversial trans guidelines
Genspect NZ supports the Ministry of Health taking time to review the implications of treatments that may have irreversible effects.
Genspect New Zealand is part of an international, non-partisan, interdisciplinary organisation committed to promoting a healthy, evidence-based approach to sex and gender. We collaborate with a diverse range of professionals, trans individuals, detransitioners, and parent groups to advocate for non-medicalised solutions to gender distress.
Genspect NZ is aware of a campaign co-ordinated by Dr Rona Carroll, a GP and officer of the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) to pressure the Ministry of Health to accept the updated guidelines for medical treatment of trans identified individuals written by PATHA. In seeking support, Dr Carroll writes “I’d appreciate keeping this sensitive matter confidential for now, while we navigate this issue”. This call for the guidelines to be released while the Ministry of Health is reviewing whether the use of puberty blockers should be further restricted is highly unprofessional and of concern.
PATHA refers to the guidelines as “evidence-based”. Guidelines previously written by PATHA received a very poor grade for quality in the independent Cass Review commissioned by the UK NHS. PATHA’s guidelines received only 140 out of a possible score of 600, with a zero score for editorial independence and 12 out of 100 for rigour of development.
The review by Dr Hilary Cass found "remarkably weak" evidence on treatments such as puberty blockers. Despite the high rate of puberty blocker prescriptions in New Zealand there is no short or long term follow up data about outcomes, and PATHA has never called for their members or other health care organisations to collect or release this data.
Claims from PATHA that their new guidelines have been “peer reviewed” also fail to note that the “peer review” of previous guidelines indicated a web of circular and self-citation which calls into serious question the reliability of their work. PATHA claims that the Ministry of Health’s delay in releasing updated guidelines is, “due to unprecedented and inappropriate political interference.”
The Ministry of Health is understandably taking time to review their position on care for gender distressed individuals. To suggest that the Government should not be concerned about previous regulatory failures that have resulted in the overprescription of puberty blockers for children is irresponsible. Genspect has recommended a pause on puberty blocker prescriptions for gender distressed children in line with the best available evidence.
The invitation to sign the letter and the letter itself are printed below
Letter to medical organisations and others requesting them to sign the shared letter.
"Kia ora,
I’m getting in touch to ask for your organisations support in advocating for the publication of clear, updated, and evidence-based guidance for healthcare professionals around Aotearoa working with trans, non-binary, and takatāpui patients. I’d appreciate keeping this sensitive matter confidential for now, while we navigate this issue.
In 2023 Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora contracted the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) to update the 2018 guidelines for gender affirming healthcare. It is standard practice for guidelines to be periodically updated to ensure their content is kept up to date. PATHA submitted the completed guidelines in October 2024 and they followed the standard process for publication of a clinical guideline, including approval from Te Whatu Ora's National Clinical Governance Group.
These guidelines were due for publication at the end of March 2025, and have now been delayed, with no clear timeline for publication, on request from the office of the Associate Minister of Health. This political interference in a routine clinical guideline update is inappropriate and unprecedented. The peer-reviewed guidelines cover a wide range of topics relevant to all areas of healthcare including, inclusive clinical environments, non-medical gender affirmation, mental health, sexual health, fertility, medical and surgical gender affirmation. We are asking for health professional bodies, primary health organisations, healthcare professionals, rainbow community organisations, healthcare services, and individual practitioners to sign the attached letter calling on the Government and Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand to publish the updated Guidelines for Gender Affirming Healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand immediately. We would really appreciate the support of your organisation.
Please email me if you have any questions.
Ngā mihi nui,
Dr Rona Carroll (on behalf of the PATHA executive committee) DR RONA CARROLL (she/her) MBChB, FRNZCGP, PGDip Senior Lecturer and General Practitioner | Rata Whānau University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Primary Health Care and General Practice Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xx.xx |
Letter from PATHA to te Whatu Ora / Health New Zealand demanding the guidelines are published.
Health professionals call for publication of guidelines for gender affirming care
Health professionals are concerned by the government's request to delay the publication of the updated clinical guidelines for gender affirming care in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Health professionals are asking for updated guidance on providing appropriate and safe healthcare to transgender and non-binary patients.
In 2023 Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora contracted the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) to update the 2018 guidelines for gender affirming healthcare. It is standard practice for guidelines to be periodically updated to ensure their content is kept up to date. PATHA submitted the updated guidelines in October 2024 and they followed the standard process for publication of a clinical guideline, and were also approved by Te Whatu Ora's National Clinical Governance Group.
The evidence-based guidelines, which have been peer reviewed by clinicians with expertise in this care from within New Zealand and internationally, cover a wide range of topics relevant to transgender and non-binary health and wellbeing, including new chapters on creating inclusive healthcare environments, non-medical gender affirmation options, and more. The small section within this comprehensive document relating to prescribing puberty blockers aligns with the Ministry of Health’s position statement on this care and supports safe prescribing for young people. There has now been an unnecessary, indefinite and unexplained delay in the publication of these clinical guidelines due to unprecedented and inappropriate political interference. Delays in releasing the guideline impacts on the ability to improve healthcare delivery and health outcomes for the transgender and non-binary population. The undersigned call on the government to allow Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora to publish the updated Guidelines for Gender Affirming Healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand immediately.
You can add your signature to this open letter using the form below.
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