Queensland's Liberal National government on Wednesday defended its position after becoming the first in Australia to deny minors puberty blockers amid a statewide probe.
An independent review into the evidence for hormone treatments for children with gender dysphoria was launched after reports a 12-year-old had received services without authorised care.
A public interest disclosure was received regarding the youth being prescribed a puberty blocker without proper consultation at a Cairns clinic in the state's far north.
Speaking in Cairns on Wednesday, Health Minister Tim Nicholls said clinic staff had since received abusive phone calls, emails and posts.
"That is clearly unacceptable," he told reporters.
"Those staff were not involved in the circumstances that have led to the current investigations.
"They are innocent of that in that respect, and they are feeling the pressure."
Multi-disciplinary consultation must be sought for all under-14s who want to start puberty blockers with input from psychologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians and family.
The Cairns service provided unauthorised care to 42 children with 17 of those prescribed puberty blockers or hormone therapies, an internal review found.
A two-pronged probe has been launched into the clinic while a state-wide investigation will look at the use of hormone therapies in children and whether there should be more regulations on medical gender-affirming care.
New patients aged under 18 won't be able to access hormone treatments through Queensland's public system until the LNP government considers the outcome of the review, reportedly set to last until 2026.
"There will be a lot of people who will take umbrage at the ban the government has announced, and I understand that," Mr Nicholls told reporters.
"But I want to reassure people that if people are presenting or experiencing gender dysphoria, that there are services available."
Kids already on a treatment plan, nearly 600 in total, can still access the services.
Children with gender dysphoria unable to begin hormone therapy will still be able to access psychiatric and psychological support.
Critics have still slammed the move, saying the decision to block hormone therapies for young trans patients will cause "immeasurable trauma".
Asked about the potential effect on young people affected by the decision, Mr Nicholls said there were "very substantial question marks" in Europe over the delivery of hormone therapy.
"Our overriding concern is the health and wellbeing of children, and that is why we're going down this pathway for children who are experiencing gender dysphoria," he said.
Gender-affirming care for young people has come under scrutiny globally. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
The issue has come under scrutiny globally with the controversial Cass review in the UK ultimately leading to the National Health Service restricting the use of puberty blockers in children.
But critics argued the Cass review was highly flawed and did not reflect the consensus of experts working in the field.
"The majority of the critiques and changes that happened within the NHS gender services are totally irrelevant to the clinical landscape in Australia," the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health's Dr Portia Predny told ABC Radio on Wednesday.
"Our model of care here has always been holistic and person-centred. It's always involved a rigorous process of assessment."
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