GP practice inquiry over children's gender care

A GP practice is under investigation over concerns it may have prescribed gender-related medication to under-18s outside national clinical guidance.

NHS Sussex and NHS England is reviewing WellBN, which operates in Brighton and Hove, to assess the care of children and young people who were prescribed or supplied medication for gender dysphoria.

NHS Sussex said on Thursday it had launched "a rapid investigation into this activity".

WellBN said it had paused all new hormone prescriptions for under-18s but it would "do our best to turn this decision around".

The practice added in its statement, issued on its website in May, that it would continue to prescribe to young patients already under its care and the restriction only applies to "the initiation of new prescriptions".

It said the NHS was "threatening to close us down altogether if we did not comply" and it "had to consider all 25,000 patients" registered at WellBN.

NHS Sussex said the investigation followed "concerns raised about some prescribing for children and young people by WellBN in Brighton and Hove, that may fall outside of national clinical policy and guidance".

It said it was working with NHS England "to determine the most appropriate care and treatment for these patients".

It said: "The practice is no longer initiating prescribing of hormone medications for children and young people under 18 years for gender dysphoria.

"The practice will continue to provide general medical care to its patients while the investigation is carried out, and it will continue to provide gender care to adult patients who are aged 18 years and above."

The NHS added it had established a helpline for under-18s receiving gender care from WellBN.

The cohort of patients whose cases are being reviewed are all aged under 18, and for whom WellBN is prescribing or arranging the supply of medication for gender dysphoria.

It is thought that most of these children and young people, but not all of them, live in Sussex.

The NHS said there would be a process to "review their notes, and consider next steps in their treatment, in line with national guidance and clinical advice".

It said: "As a result of this process, there will likely be different outcomes for different patients.

"Some children and young people may be recommended for a transfer into specialist NHS commissioned gender services.

"Some will be reviewed and supported by local Children and Young People Mental Health Services, and some will need an endocrinology (hormone) review.

"What happens following that review will differ for each individual and will depend on the outcome of the case note review, the person's age and medication profile."

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The BBC has contacted WellBN for comment.

In May, the practice said: "We are sorry to be passing on this news, but rest assured we will continue to battle against this injustice.

"We have a strong case to present considering that bodily autonomy is one of the four pillars of modern medical ethics."

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