CMO Advice Puberty Blockers
Dear Department of Health (Northern Ireland),
On 27th August 2024 the Department of Health introduced emergency restrictions
on the use of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues used to
suppress puberty as part of treating gender incongruence or gender dysphoria in
children and young people who are under 18 years of age. It has been stated that this was based on medical advice from the Chief Medical Officer. Can I get a copy of this advice?
Yours faithfully,
Steve Hamilton
Steve,
Please see attached acknowledgement of receipt of your request.
Regards,
Adele
Adele Gray
Department of Health NI
Dear Mr Hamilton
Please find attached a response to your Freedom of Information request below.
Kindest regards
Eddie Murphy
Department of Health (NI)
Pharmacy Directorate
Medicines Legislation Unit
Room D3
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast
BT4 3SQ
Tel: 02890 520014
Email: [email address]
Web: www.health-ni.gov.uk
Dear Department of Health (Northern Ireland),
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Health (Northern Ireland)'s handling of my FOI request 'CMO Advice Puberty Blockers'.
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/c...
Yours faithfully,
Steve Hamilton
Mr Hamilton,
Thank you for your email below.
To assist the Internal Reviewer, please explain the grounds for which you
are seeking an Internal Review.
Regards,
Joyce
Joyce McGrattan
Information Management Branch
Department of Health (NI)
Dear DoH FOI,
The public interest test has been applied incorrectly, legislation has been enacted and therefore the claim that the policy is still in development is inaccurate. A policy decision has been made and the justification for this decision should be released given the significant public interest in the decision.
The response was also not provided within the 20 working day limit and no explanation was offered for this delay.
Yours sincerely,
Steve Hamilton
Mr Hamilton,
Thank you for clarifying below.
Please see attached acknowledgement of receipt of your request for an
Internal Review.
Regards,
Joyce
Joyce McGrattan
Information Management Branch
Department of Health (NI)
Dear DoH FOI,
It's been over 20 working days since an Internal Review was requested, will an update be provided soon?
Yours sincerely,
Steve Hamilton
Mr Hamilton,
There is no legislative timeframe for an Internal Review response.
Your request is with the reviewer for consideration.
Kind regards,
Joyce
Joyce McGrattan
Information Management Branch
Department of Health (NI)
ICO guidance states you should provide a target date for response which should usually be within 20 working days. If it is going to take long than 20 days you should also inform the requestor and provide a target date.
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/foi...
Yours sincerely,
Steve Hamilton
Mr Hamilton,
Unfortunately, the Independent Reviewer is dealing with responses to the
UK Covid Inquiry with legal obligations on timescales.
I apologise, it is not possible to give a definitive response at this
time.
Kind regards,
Joyce
Joyce McGrattan
Information Management Branch
Department of Health (NI)
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