Vikki Slade

Vikki Slade

Liberal Democrat — Mid Dorset and North Poole

Speaking in the House of Commons on 22 June 2026

Debate

Pathways Study: Puberty Suppression

Contribution

I thank the Secretary of State for the manner of his responses. Four years, three-and-a-half years, four years, six-and-a-half years, four years, three-and-a-half years, four-and-a-half years, five-and-a-half years, three years and nine months—those are the waits faced by young people in Dorset supported by Space Youth Project between their referral to the gender identity service and their very first appointment. None of them will qualify for this trial, and many will have gone into adulthood still waiting, despite commitments of more treatment and clinics. While I support the criteria for the trial as detailed in the statement, there is an inadequate capacity in the system, which is leading to even more distress for these children and their families. Will the Secretary of State update us on this issue? Most teenagers will be excluded from the trial, so they need to hear how they will be supported.

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