HUMZA Yousaf has responded to calls for a ban on puberty blockers for young people following the publication of the Cass Review last week.

The review, led by consultant paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass, looked into the provision of gender identity services for children and young people within the NHS in England.

In her final report, Cass made a series of recommendations, including advising “extreme caution” in prescribing puberty blockers and hormones to under-18s due to a lack of “high quality” research into their long-term effects.

It also said the “exceptional toxicity” of public debate surrounding transgender identity was doing nothing to help young people seeking treatment.

READ MORE: We go behind the scenes on the campaign trail with Humza Yousaf

Speaking on Good Morning Scotland on Tuesday morning, the First Minister said it was wise to “take time over” the findings of the 400-page report and insisted decisions on next steps were a matter for clinicians to decide.

He added that “all recommendations” within the report would be considered, including a ban on children’s puberty blockers and that there “wasn’t a case” to close the Sandyford centre – which provides these services as well as other sexual health services .

It comes as the Scottish Government has been criticised by the Scottish Tories for not yet making a decision – with NHS England confirming children south of the border will no longer routinely be prescribed such treatments at a gender identity clinic.

“It's worth taking the time to delve into what Dr. Hillary Cass is saying in terms of – not just the recommendations – but the detail that she goes into,” Yousaf said.

“First and foremost, the Scottish Government and, importantly, our health boards and Greater Glasgow and Clyde in particular, obviously given the responsibility over Sandyford, it will be taking time to look through the report, to examine it and explore it in detail.

“And, of course, continue to liaise with Dr. Cass and clinicians in Scotland.”

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The SNP leader said he will not make a decision on what clinicians “should or should not prescribe”, adding that having said the Cass Review will be given the “utmost consideration”.

He also added that there were several “positive recommendations” mentioned in the review to consider – including the immediate creation of more regional gender identity hubs in order to meet increasing demand.

“I promise that we won't be taking an inordinate amount of time to consider,” Yousaf added.

“But it is right – when there is a report of almost 400 pages when you include the appendices – that we should take some time over it and clinicians should take the time over it when it comes to deciding the way forward for some of our most vulnerable marginalised young people.”

The First Minister's comments come as Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer urged sporting chiefs to ban transgender athletes from elite women’s sporting events.

Writing in the Mail, Frazer said sporting bodies have a “duty” to set out clear guidance and take an “unambiguous position” on whether transgender athletes can compete.

She said she had spoken to representatives of sports including cricket and football at a meeting on Monday.

The Football Association and the England and Wales Cricket Board’s policies are under review, but do currently permit transgender women to compete in female competitions subject to certain conditions.