A paediatric endocrinologist believes the Health Ministry's puberty blocker stance is sensible. 

The Ministry's brief shows a lack of good quality evidence backing the drug's effectiveness and safety for treating gender dysphoria. 

It says they should only be prescribed by a clinician experienced in gender-affirming care, as part of a team offering a full range of support. 

Paul Hofman told Mike Hosking puberty blockers are safe and reversible, and have been used by hundreds of thousands of kids in the last 30 years. 

He says data on its efficacy is poor, which is down to doctors not following up on the treatment, and assuming it will work as intended. 

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