Ex-Tavistock medics’ new gender clinic under investigation

A private gender clinic dubbed ‘Tavistock 2.0’ is under investigation by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) just one month after opening.

Gender Plus, which can refer children and adults to a surgical team and over-16s to an “associated hormone clinic”, claims that its services do not require the health watchdog’s oversight.

Its Clinical Director Dr Aidan Kelly and six further members of staff are ex-Tavistock employees, which was given the lowest possible rating by the CQC in 2021 and is now due to be shut down.

‘Damaging’

The CQC stated that it is not currently conducting a criminal investigation of Gender Plus, but warned “if new information becomes available, that gives reasonable grounds to suspect an offence may have been committed, we will consider appropriate action”.

Doctors have raised concerns that most of the clinic’s consultations are being carried out over video calls rather than in-person appointments. Former Tavistock staff governor Dr David Bell also warned it may be failing to explore patients’ overall mental health.

“Young people who present with gender identity problems have many other psychological disorders and it is vital that there is a full psychiatric and mental assessment – and I’m surprised that Gender Plus do not think it is necessary to have a psychiatrist as part of the team.

“I hope that the appropriate authorities will act quickly to prevent damage being done to children.”

‘Discredited’

Dr Louise Irvine of the Clinical and Advisory Network on Sex and Gender said: “Gender Plus employs several former Tavistock staff and appears to use the same discredited ‘affirmative’ model of care, involving referral for puberty blockers and hormones, that led to the decision to close it after a CQC inspection deemed it ‘inadequate’.”

Bayswater Support, a group representing parents with gender-confused children, added: “Gender Plus looks like Tavistock 2.0. The claim that this private clinic is following the evidence-based reforms set out by the Cass Review appears very unlikely.”

Gender Plus claims that its practice “is guided by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care and NHS Service Specifications for Gender Services”.

Last year, WPATH – a controversial international pro-trans group – removed age recommendations for sex-swap drugs and surgery from its ‘best practice’ guidelines.

Puberty blockers

NHS England recently announced its intention to end the routine prescribing of puberty-blocking drugs for gender-confused children. It will continue for clinical trials only.

Following Tavistock’s scheduled closure next year, two new regional hubs are set to open, operating under interim specifications informed by a review led by Dr Hilary Cass.

The guidance says policies at the hubs “should be mindful” that confusion around feelings about gender “may be a transient phase” and the “primary intervention” for gender-confused children should be through “psychological” support.