Tavistock gender clinic – closed amid controversy (Image: Getty)
A LEGAL challenge has been launched against an NHS GP surgery accused of unlawfully prescribing sex-change hormones to a 16-year-old allegedly in direct breach of NHS guidance and without parental consent.
The High Court challenge could have far-reaching consequences for transgender healthcare in the UK. If successful, it could force a national crackdown on GP clinics prescribing hormones to under 18 year olds outside NHS rules.
The case against WellBn Surgery in Hove, East Sussex, was filed on Friday by a distraught father after he discovered his mentally vulnerable son, known as ‘O,’ was being given cross-sex hormones without proper medical safeguards.
The legal case implicates NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board and NHS England, as well as the WellBN practice, raising urgent questions over the safety of children receiving gender treatments outside NHS guidelines.
The challenge echoes the groundbreaking case of Keira Bell, who sued the NHS gender clinic – The Tavistock after claiming she was rushed into hormone treatment as a teenager without proper evaluation. Ms Bell later detransitioned and warned vulnerable children were being led down a damaging medical path.
Protest against puberty blocker ban (Image: Getty)
‘O’s father, identified as ‘N,’ says his child has been prescribed powerful hormone treatment without his consent. ‘N’ is seeking a judicial review, arguing that WellBN’s “informed consent model” ignores NHS rules, endangers young people, and bypasses key medical safeguards outlined in the Cass Review – a government-commissioned report which advised “extreme caution” in prescribing hormones to under-18s.
According to legal documents, ‘O’ was prescribed spironolactone and oestrogen – drugs which have been linked to irreversible side effects including infertility, loss of sexual function, liver damage, and kidney damage – despite suffering from severe mental health issues.
“My child’s mental health has been unstable for years. Instead of receiving proper psychological support, a GP handed over life-altering drugs with no real checks,” ‘N’ said.
The case alleges ‘O’ forged a parental signature to obtain the prescription—a clear red flag that, according to the claim, should have halted treatment immediately. Instead, the clinic reportedly continued prescribing hormones.
‘N’ said: “Our son has had poor mental health for a long time and became distressed with his body and his gender during secondary school. We tried to help him and there are qualified mental health professionals, who can alleviate his distress. But our son went to (the GP at WellBN) instead, who unlawfully prescribed cross-sex hormones, causing a rapid decline of his physical health, while his mental health deteriorated further.”
New guidance on gender treatment led to protests (Image: Getty)
“It’s a complete breakdown of medical responsibility,” said the father’s solicitor, Paul Conrathe, who also represented Keira Bell. “The NHS guidance is clear—extreme caution must be used with children. This GP surgery acted recklessly, putting ideology over patient safety.”
The case will prove a test for NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board and NHS England, both of which have been formally notified of the legal action.
The legal claim asserts WellBN has been openly advertising its willingness to provide hormones to minors – despite NHS guidance explicitly requiring specialist ‘multidisciplinary’ assessments before any medical intervention is approved.
“This surgery is offering an express route to hormone treatment for young people, ignoring the safety measures designed to protect them,” said Mr Conrathe.
The legal challenge could expose a wider scandal, with other parents reportedly facing similar situations.
The claim alleges that WellBN has taken out-of-area patients and prescribed puberty blockers and hormones to teens as young as 16.
Activists showing support for lgbtq rights (Image: Getty)
The government commissioned Cass Review of gender services for children, published last year, called for an overhaul of gender services for children, warning:
*There is no strong evidence that cross-sex hormones improve long-term mental health.
*The risks of irreversible damage, including infertility, must be taken seriously.
*Specialist multidisciplinary teams should assess all under-18s before any medical treatment is prescribed.
“The NHS commissioned the Cass Review to protect children. The NHS has changed its commissioning guidance to agree with the Cass Review. If GP surgeries can simply ignore these recommendations, what’s the point?” asked Mr Conrathe.
A spokeswoman for WellBN said: “We have fully considered and responded to the correspondence received from the family’s representatives to date, and await to hear any next steps. We are always keen to speak to our patients and their families if they have concerns and would encourage any of our patients or their loved ones to contact us directly.”
A spokeswoman for the NHS said it could not comment during legal proceedings.