Hannah Barnes and WellBN

[Justme56]

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/health/2025/08/health-bosses-failed-to-act-on-nhs-clinic-prescribing-gender-drugs-to-kids-for-five-years

I know there are threads on this already, but this is a more in-depth piece on the history, of what has been going on over several years.

It’s disappointing that it’s financial or legal threats that compel reconsideration.

What had changed is that the NHS was facing legal action. Less than two months after the GMC had concluded – for the third time – there were no safety concerns surrounding Sam Hall’s practices at WellBN, NHS England came to a completely different conclusion. In a document seen by the New Statesman, dated 8 April 2025, NHSE told the Sussex Integrated Care Board (NHS Sussex) that it was their view that “the approach adopted by WellBN sits neither within the scope of a specialised [gender] service commissioned by NHS England” nor was it within the treatments offered under the General Medical Services contract. (This outlines the core health services GPs are required to provide.) As a consequence, WellBN, of which Hall was one of three GP partners until his departure at the end of June 2025, “should be instructed to cease offering the prescription of exogenous hormones for gender incongruence” to 16- and 17-year-olds.

“Whatever the outcome, should this investigation find that any child has been harmed as a result of WellBN’s medical approach to gender-questioning youth, none of the organisations responsible for protecting these young people and ensuring they receive safe care will be able to say it could not have been prevented. Not the NHS, not the GMC, nor the government. They were warned. Repeatedly. And did nothing.”

Hannah Barnes is such a fantastic, old-school, investigative journalist.

While the majority being prescribed hormones – testosterone for girls wanting to appear more masculine, oestrogen for males wishing to feminise their bodies – were aged between 15 and 17 and a half, official records show some were under 13 years old. We do not know the exact age of the youngest.

jfc

there needs to be a national inquiry into all of this, not least who the f allowed this state sanctioned child abuse AFTER such treatment was banned

Absolutely, they should not be allowed to get away with the appalling harm they have caused these children.

I suppose technically it wasn’t state sanctioned after it was banned but certainly “NHS state” sanctioned.

Responsibility is so diluted that noone feels culpable. The GMC and NHSE just point at each other, whilst NHS Sussex points back at them.... and Hall can legitimately shrug and say 'everyone knew and noone said not to'. It's infuriating.

Excellent, and damning article.

Shame on those who failed, and continue to fail, to protect vulnerable children.