The New South Wales health minister, Ryan Park, has vowed to improve the care available to transgender children and review gender research after a media report highlighted issues many people face trying to get help.
Park said on Tuesday it was “extremely disappointing” and “concerning” to hear people had struggled to access healthcare and that doctors had felt unable to speak up.
“We’re not enabling people to access this level of healthcare as frequently as they need it,” the minister told ABC radio.
ABC’s Four Corners program on Monday night reported three new patients had been seen at the gender clinic at Westmead children’s hospital this year compared with 88 new patients in 2022.
Park has since spoken with the secretary of the health department and the deputy secretary about the issues raised in the program, including staffing.
He said a new framework to guide clinicians on care would be established along with a new care hub for south-west Sydney. Two new advisory bodies will help ensure best practice, the minister said.
The ABC alleged a number of staff had left the Westmead service following the publication of research initiated in 2013 that was being “weaponised by anti-trans activists and proponents of alternative forms of gender care”.
The Sax Institute, an independent organisation that seeks to use evidence to improve health policies, has since been charged with examining that research and other literature on gender-affirming care, Park said.
The minister said the institute would “look at that research and ensure that we are at best practice”. He vowed to make changes to ensure clinicians were able to speak up when they had concerns.
“There’s always going to be robust debate,” Park said. “But we also need to make sure that when people on the front line feel as though things are not working, we need to make sure those things are in place.”
The premier, Chris Minns, said he would talk with the minister about the “complex” area of care and staffing levels.
“It’s a complex and evolving area of health care and it’s understandable that health care professionals in NSW will be looking at best practices from around the world and making sure they’re providing that care to people who come in for treatment,” he said.
The ABC reported the research covered links to family trauma, “rapid-onset gender dysphoria” and “the concept of ‘desisters’ which often refers to someone who no longer identifies as trans”.
Park apologised for the death of 14-year-old boy Noah O’Brien who took his own life in January while awaiting specialised gender-affirming treatment.
Four Corners reported his death followed a referral for – but not provision of – specialist gender support at Westmead children’s hospital.
“That is a very very sad situation and my heart goes out to the family,” Park said on Tuesday. “I am very sorry they have had a system that let them down.”
A spokesperson for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network said all care at Westmead was “based on the best available medical evidence and is in line with international best practice”.
“SCHN expresses our sincere condolences to Noah’s family,” the spokesperson said. “Due to patient privacy and confidentiality, SCHN is unable to provide further information about his specific care.”
The spokesperson said the research project and papers published had been reviewed and found to meet their requirements.
“SCHN is committed to providing transparency in communicating the results of research undertaken by the network and is informed by research in ensuring evidence-based care for children, young people and their families.”
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 988 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
