Puberty blockers trial can go ahead as court throws out challengehttps://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/31/pathways-puberty-blockers-trial-high-court/ 🔗Jack Wetherill (31 July 2026)
The High Court has ruled that the PATHWAYS puberty blockers trial can go ahead, after a judge threw out a challenge from campaigners.
The challenge came from a number of groups or individuals, including the Bayswater Support Group which give "support for parents of children IDing as trans".
They asked that the trial be blocked, arguing it was unlawful. However the High Court has ruled it can go ahead after a two-day hearing.
In a statement, the PATHWAYS Trial research team said: "We welcome the Court's decision. The safety and welfare of young people will remain our highest priority in carrying out this research.
"PATHWAYS Trial is a carefully designed study to give much needed evidence about the potential benefits and risks of puberty suppression to improve NHS care.
"A small number of young people with long-term gender incongruence, who have already received comprehensive psychological and social support through NHS Gender Services, will be eligible.
The trial came about after a review by Dr Cass, who argued the evidence was "remarkably weak" when it came to the use of puberty blockers. She said in June that "more children will be harmed if we don't do the trial than if we do".
Outside of the PATHWAYS Trial, puberty blockers are currently unavailable for new patients under the age of 18.
