Trans healthcare review: Prioritising children’s wellbeing through evidence-based approaches, and equitable access across Australia.
The National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds, has expressed her support for the Federal Health Minister’s announcement of a national review into the healthcare services provided to trans and gender-diverse children. Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed that the review will be conducted by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The review will encompass a thorough examination of various aspects of gender-affirming care for children, including the use of puberty blockers.
Commissioner Hollonds emphasised the critical importance of ensuring that children receive healthcare that meets the highest standards. In order to safeguard the best interests of children, it’s important that the healthcare provided for children is based on the highest possible standards, and that these standards are regularly and rigorously evaluated. She expressed hope that the national review will not only lead to the development of national guidelines, ensuring consistency in evidence-based healthcare but also pave the way for much-needed longitudinal research in this area. Such research is crucial for understanding the long-term impacts of different treatment options and ensuring that healthcare practices are informed by robust evidence.
A significant issue highlighted by Commissioner Hollonds is the current inequity in access to appropriate healthcare for trans and gender-diverse children. Young people across our country must have equitable access to healthcare. Currently, it’s a postcode lottery and there are too many communities where children and their families cannot access comprehensive medical services, including mental health care and specialist clinical services for trans and gender-diverse children. This disparity in access, where a child’s location determines the quality and availability of care, creates significant challenges for families and can have detrimental effects on the wellbeing of young people.
Commissioner Hollonds welcomed the review as an opportunity to establish a more consistent and equitable approach to healthcare across the nation. The opportunity it provides will ensure a consistent approach across all states and territories for the delivery of healthcare services for young people who are trans and gender diverse, the review will lead to improved access to vital services for all trans and gender-diverse children, regardless of where they live.
Importantly, this national review will also help to put the focus on the needs of children and make the wellbeing of Australia’s children a national priority. This statement highlights the crucial need to depoliticise discussions surrounding healthcare for trans and gender-diverse children and to centre the conversation on the best interests of the young people themselves. The review offers a valuable opportunity to move away from ideological debates and towards a more evidence-based approach to care, ensuring that decisions are guided by science and a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of all children. By focusing on the needs of the child, the review can contribute to creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for trans and gender-diverse youth in Australia.
Also read: National review of transgender health care for young Australians
Milton writes as both an occupation and a hazard. He also works on the newsletters you see on Tuesday and Thursday with articles you should find interesting.
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