The best psychiatrist who warned against trans treatments to be disciplined
A leading psychiatrist who has warned against using experimental treatments at NHS England Children's Gender Identity Clinic
is now facing disciplinary action.
Dr David Bell, former staff governor of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, which oversees the clinic, brought clinicians' concerns about patient well-being to the Trust in an internal report in 2018.
The Trust declined to give a reason for the procedure, but Dr Bell said it was related to his
"speech and writing on the subject of gender dysphoria".
is now facing disciplinary action.
Dr David Bell, former staff governor of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, which oversees the clinic, brought clinicians' concerns about patient well-being to the Trust in an internal report in 2018.
The Trust declined to give a reason for the procedure, but Dr Bell said it was related to his
"speech and writing on the subject of gender dysphoria".
"Threatening state of mind"
Marcus Evans, who resigned as governor of the Trust last year, said Dr Bell's situation "tells you everything you need to know about a threatening mindset that does not allow dissent".
He continued, “Rather than taking the concerns seriously, they posted a notice on the trusted website questioning Dr. Bell's credentials for writing the report. This is why I quit - I realized that trust management was not serious in wanting to open up and examine what was going on in this highly controversial department.
a threatening state of mind that does not allow dissent
His wife Sue, who had also worked at the clinic, said the High Court ruling last week to protect children from puberty blockers validated concerns she raised during her stay.
She said: “The real scandal is that the way of treating children with gender dysphoria has become increasingly politicized and has moved away from the high standards of clinical mental health with good assessment and psychotherapeutic treatment.
Marcus Evans, who resigned as governor of the Trust last year, said Dr Bell's situation "tells you everything you need to know about a threatening mindset that does not allow dissent".
He continued, “Rather than taking the concerns seriously, they posted a notice on the trusted website questioning Dr. Bell's credentials for writing the report. This is why I quit - I realized that trust management was not serious in wanting to open up and examine what was going on in this highly controversial department.
a threatening state of mind that does not allow dissent
His wife Sue, who had also worked at the clinic, said the High Court ruling last week to protect children from puberty blockers validated concerns she raised during her stay.
She said: “The real scandal is that the way of treating children with gender dysphoria has become increasingly politicized and has moved away from the high standards of clinical mental health with good assessment and psychotherapeutic treatment.
Suspended
Last week, the NHS announced that the Tavistock and Portman Trust had "immediately suspended new referrals for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for under-16s" following the High Court ruling.
the treatment pathway for children with gender dysphoria has become increasingly politicized
A spokesperson said that in the future such referrals "will only be allowed when a court specifically allows it."
High Court judges said it was "highly unlikely" that children 13 and under could actually consent to hormone inhibitors, and that "very questionable" 14 and 15-year-olds could.
Last week, the NHS announced that the Tavistock and Portman Trust had "immediately suspended new referrals for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for under-16s" following the High Court ruling.
the treatment pathway for children with gender dysphoria has become increasingly politicized
A spokesperson said that in the future such referrals "will only be allowed when a court specifically allows it."
High Court judges said it was "highly unlikely" that children 13 and under could actually consent to hormone inhibitors, and that "very questionable" 14 and 15-year-olds could.
