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The High Court has heard claims that the health regulator, the Care Quality Commission, “acted irrationally” when it registered England’s first private clinic offering gender treatment to under-18s. <\/p>\n
The case, brought by a former nurse and a mother who wishes to remain anonymous, claims the watchdog did not consider all relevant information and should also have imposed conditions on the clinic. <\/p>\n
The CQC says there is ample evidence that the clinic is committed to the safety and best interests of its patients.<\/p>\n
Lawyers for the Gender Plus Healthcare Clinic, which was rated outstanding last year, called the legal action “fatally flawed”. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The former nurse, Susan Evans, and the mother are challenging the CQC’s decision to register the clinic in January last year.<\/p>\n
They are also challenging a decision made last December to continue the registration and to allow the clinic to prescribe cross-sex hormone treatment to 16- and 17-year olds. <\/p>\n
The clinic, which has services in Birmingham and Leeds, treats people aged 16 and over, including by prescribing hormones, such as oestrogen or testosterone. <\/p>\n
Cross-sex hormones are given to people who identify as a gender that is different to their biological sex. The medication helps someone who is transitioning to develop characteristics associated with their preferred gender.<\/p>\n
For instance, it would help a trans man, a biological female who identifies as a man, develop a deeper voice and facial hair. Existing NHS guidance allows the hormones to be prescribed to people aged 16 and over.<\/p>\n
However, in line with NHS rules, the new clinic does not prescribe puberty blockers which suppress the release of hormones.<\/p>\n
Tom Cross KC, barrister for the two women, told the court that in deciding the clinic should continue to be registered, “the CQC has acted irrationally”. <\/p>\n