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The registration of England’s first private clinic offering gender treatment to under-18s is under scrutiny in the High Court, with claims that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) “acted irrationally” in the process. The case, initiated by a former nurse and an anonymous mother, alleges that the watchdog failed to consider all pertinent information and should have imposed conditions on the clinic in question. Conversely, the CQC asserts that there is overwhelming evidence supporting the clinic’s dedication to the safety and well-being of its patients.
The legal battle involves Gender Plus Healthcare Clinic, which received an outstanding rating last year. The former nurse, Susan Evans, and the other claimant are contesting the CQC’s decision to register the clinic in January of the previous year as well as a subsequent ruling in December, allowing the clinic to administer cross-sex hormone treatment to 16- and 17-year-olds. The clinic, operating in Birmingham and Leeds, provides services to individuals aged 16 and above, including hormone prescription for transitioning purposes.
Cross-sex hormones, such as oestrogen or testosterone, are crucial for individuals identifying with a gender different from their biological sex. The medication facilitates the development of characteristics that align with the individual’s preferred gender identity. Despite the clinic’s adherence to NHS guidelines on hormone prescription for individuals aged 16 and over, it does not offer puberty blockers that alter hormone release. The legal representatives for the claimants argue that the CQC’s decision to maintain the clinic’s registration lacked rationality, emphasizing the necessity for robust safeguarding measures to protect young individuals undergoing gender treatment.
The court proceedings involve detailed considerations of the Cass Review’s findings on gender treatment for young people, highlighting the importance of stringent safeguards for minors within this demographic. While the CQC maintains the clinic’s compliance with national guidance and commitment to patient safety, concerns persist regarding the adequacy of safeguarding protocols within the private setting. The ongoing legal battle will resume on Wednesday, with a verdict anticipated to be delivered in written form at a later stage
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