The National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds has welcomed the Federal Health Minister's announcement of a national review of healthcare for trans and gender diverse children.
Announced by Health Minister Mark Butler on Friday, the review will be led by the National Health and Medical Research Council and will examine aspects of children's gender-affirming care, including the use of puberty blockers.
Commissioner Anne Hollonds said: 'In order to safeguard the best interests of children, it's important that the healthcare we provide for children is based on the highest possible standards, and that these standards are regularly and rigorously evaluated.
'This national review will provide national guidelines to ensure consistency in evidence-based healthcare and hopefully will lead to longitudinal research.
"It's also important that young people across our country 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.
"I welcome this review and the opportunity it provides to ensure a consistent approach across all states and territories for the delivery of healthcare services for young people who are trans and gender diverse.
"Importantly, this national review will also help to put the focus on the needs of children, not the politics, and make the wellbeing of Australia's children a national priority.
