Adam Price, the former leader of Plaid Cymru, a Welsh nationalist party advocating for independence and social justice, has criticised the Welsh government’s decision to halt the provision of puberty blockers for trans youth, calling it “unlawful”.
In 2024, NHS Wales suspended access to puberty blockers for young transgender individuals, following a similar move by NHS England. Since Wales commissions its gender identity services from NHS England, it automatically adopted the decision when England stopped prescribing the medication.
Puberty blockers are a form of hormone treatment that temporarily pauses puberty by blocking sex hormones like testosterone and oestrogen. This can prevent unwanted physical changes such as menstruation, breast growth, voice deepening, and facial hair development in trans youth.
The ban was introduced after the publication of the Cass Review in April 2023. Commissioned by NHS England, the review was led by Dr Hilary Cass, a paediatric expert, and examined the care model for trans young people in England. The report recommended “extreme caution” when prescribing puberty blockers and other gender-affirming treatments.
However, the review has faced criticism from organisations, including the British Medical Association (BMA), which has questioned its methodology and accused Dr Cass of ignoring specific evidence, particularly regarding the effectiveness and safety of puberty blockers.
Former Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price has accused the Welsh government of breaking its own laws by implementing the ban without conducting an impact assessment on affected children.
Alongside the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, Price has argued that the government should have assessed the policy’s consequences before making a decision.
Speaking to BBC Wales, Price stated: “I think it is clear that the government have acted unlawfully. They need to set out with some urgency how they intend to rectify this mistake, and most importantly, engage meaningfully with this group of children and young people whose rights deserve to be respected and whose voices should be heard.”
When asked whether he personally opposed the ban, Price clarified that the issue was not about his opinion on puberty blockers but rather whether the legal process was followed correctly.
“The question here is whether the proper legal process was followed, and whether the rights of those children and young people were fully respected, and whether their voices were heard,” he said.
With legal concerns being raised, the Welsh government may face increasing pressure to revisit its decision and ensure compliance with its own legal framework.
