Westmead revelations set to rethink gender care and research across New South Wales
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed the death of a 14-year-old transgender boy after it emerged that only three patients had been admitted to one of two public hospitals in New South Wales. He apologized for the death and promised to work on a statewide review of gender care and research. So far this year there have been gender clinics.
14-year-old Noah O’Brien took his own life in January while on a waiting list for gender reassignment care at ABC Television’s Westmead Children’s Hospital. four corners The program reported on Monday night. The program also revealed that the clinic had treated three new patients so far by 2023, significantly fewer than the 88 adolescents admitted to the program in 2022.
Westmead Children’s Hospital is one of two publicly funded gender clinics in New South Wales.credit: Louise Kennery
“We are not allowing people to access this level of care as often as they need to,” Park said on ABC Radio Tuesday morning. “And obviously, regarding Noah’s very sad demise… my heart goes out to the family. I am very sorry that we have adopted a system that has let them down.”
Park announced that the Sachs Institute, an independent health policy body, will lead a survey of the scientific literature on gender-affirming care in Australia and abroad. four corners Former Westmead officials voiced concerns about controversial hospital research.
In a peer-reviewed study published in February, researchers analyzed the cases of 79 adolescents who sought treatment in hospital for gender-related stress and found that one in five received gender-affirming care. was found not to have received
The findings drew criticism from former National Mental Health Commissioner Professor Ian Hickey, who told ABC that it includes people who have not been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and are not eligible for puberty blockers. He said the 22% figure was not accurate.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park has apologized for the death of a 14-year-old transgender boy who was on a waiting list for gender reassignment care at Westmead Children’s Hospital.credit: Rhett Wyman
Gender-affirming health care is related to the medical aspects of human transition and can include pubertal blockers, which temporarily suppress physical changes during puberty.
Park said the Sachs Institute investigation will examine the Westmead study alongside the broader international literature.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/gender-care-and-research-to-be-reviewed-across-nsw-after-westmead-revelations-20230711-p5dndo.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_national_nsw Westmead revelations set to rethink gender care and research across New South Wales
