Dr Webberley

[Terfmore]

gendergp.co.uk/mpts_lift_restrictions/

Reading between the lines it may be that the doctor was exonerated on the grounds she followed pre existing approved guidelines.
It would be interesting to read the full judgement which may be more nuanced.
It is not on the website yet, likely due to back log.

My reading of it is that this is such cutting edge medicine that the NHS has not yet come up with any specific guidelines.

Where there are no guidelines, the doctor has to show that:

1. They acted in what they sincerely believed, using their clinical judgement, was the best interests of the patient.
2. They explained the treatment and all possible side effects to the patient (or in this case the parents) who then gave their consent, in the knowledge that there were no specific protocols to follow.

Having looked at the case, they have concluded that Dr Webberley hasn't committed any offence and therefore can go back to practising. It's pretty much a technicality, rather than any kind of ethical judgement.

I think what happens next is what will make the difference. I suspect that now this has been raised, the NHS will take steps to put protocols in place. This is their chance, should they so desire, to clip Dr Webberley's wings. They could, for example, ask for input from the doctors at the Paediatric Endocrine Unit, University College Hospital London who complained about her. They might, for example, set a specific minumum age for treatment so that anyone working in the NHS would have to follow that rule or face the consequences.

However, given the current political climate... to quote from the page you linked: "In 2016, the Women and Equalities Committee report on Transgender Equality concluded that the transgender community is being let down by the NHS." it seems more likely that Dr Webberley herself, as someone at the forefront of this medicine, might be heavily involved in writing the new protocols.

I can't be sure. I could be misjudging the NHS. But my suspicion is that the paediatricians who reported her will be tearing their hair out in the same way we are. The heavy hand of the trans-lobby will drive this forward even though there are many educated people who feel it is unsafe and are questioning the ethics of practising experimental medicine on vulnerable children.

This statement in particular (again from the linked page) has trans-lobby written all over it and it's clear that the tribunal have taken their pressure into account as evidence. “The MPTS took into consideration all of the new information available and the considerable support sent into the GMC from families, patients and voluntary sector members, who recognise the urgent need within the transgender community. Transgender patients face discrimination and barriers at every turn, it has long been my position that access to healthcare should not be one such barrier.”

The link is Dr Webberley's own company, so definitely trans rights spin.

There is a child involved in this who was only 12 years old when he began medical transition. It should be shouted from the roof tops that we may be close to the NHS drawing up guidelines to write this into practice. But this child is still only 14 years old. But that is no reason to avoid the topic. It's like being painted into a corner.

It seems there is judgement from this organisation which is then rubber stamped by the BMA. Is it worth writing to the BMA?

It's important to note that the GMC investigation is still underway, so Dr Webberley can practice for now but could still be censured by the GMC which could lead to restrictions on her practice, requirements for further training or ultimately suspension.The MPTS is formally separate from the GMC although I'm not completely sure how the two systems of governance relate to one another (I used to be involved with fitness to practice type investigations/ judgements but before the MPTS was set up).

I am having a hard time accepting that they judged practicing medicine based on your beliefs is in any way appropriate.

Not about beliefs. Using their clinical judgement as best they can. But that can only be based on opinion as there aren’t many facts. All cutting edge medicine is like that to some extent. But obviously the paeds who reported her are wary.

Unless there’s anyone with a relevant background, I doubt contacting the BMA will do any good. Nooka it sounds like you have better knowledge than I do. I’m in a related profession, but not a medic and not in the U.K.

www.bmj.com/content/360/bmj.k1312
Margaret McCartney in the BMJ on trans issues

They are asking us to accept medical treatment of children based on their belief that it is possible to be born into the wrong body.

Well that Margaret McCartney article was such a relief - I was expecting a "get with the programme" article but she actually was talking common sense.

Margaret McCartney is EXTREMELY well respected as an advocate for evidence based medicine. She does not shy from controversy but she is fair and reasoned in how she does this. She has written extensively about how politics and medicine shouldn't mix because of the harm to patients that it does.

If anyone can cut through on this and get people to listen a bit more, its her.

I recommend her book the 'patient paradox: why sexed up medicine is bad for your health' to anyone who has a interest in the general problems in medicine that arise from politics, pharma, and lobbying and interfere with evidence based medicine.

It got nothing to do with trans, but it highlights everything that is wrong with whats going on with the likes of mermaids and action for trans health. And dr webblerley.

I'm over the moon at the article.

In a recent conference, Polly Carmichael of Tavi and Port said that the evidence base for paediatric transition is "low or very low".

Like Red, I'm glad to see Margaret McCartney writing compassionate commonsense about this. She is SO well regarded and will be an influential voice.

Also relieved to read the linked article.

Could someone perhaps tweet it to Karen Ingala Smith, or one of the other women who is going to meet with Brian Paddick?

Margaret McCartney is great, her weekly column is the best bit in the BMJ. So glad she has spoken out.