Former Nurse and Mother Lose Battle Against Gender Clinic
Gender Clinic Wins Judicial Review Against CQC Over Service scrutiny
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London, UK – A private gender identity clinic has successfully challenged a decision by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in a judicial review, with a High Court judge ruling that the regulator’s criticisms were focused on “form rather than substance.” The ruling allows Gender Plus to continue providing its services.
Clinic’s Operations Upheld in Court
Gender Plus, a clinic founded by Dr. Aidan Kelly and led by nurse consultant Paul Carruthers, had informed the court that its practices align with NHS guidance and that it had established its own multi-disciplinary team. The clinic’s procedures had also undergone review by CQC inspectors.
In her ruling, Mrs Justice Eady stated, “I am satisfied the steps taken by the CQC were rationally focused on scrutinising the actual process by which the clinic provided the service in issue. I duly reject this objection.” She added, “what is, moreover, clearly apparent from the CQC’s evidence is the detailed scrutiny that was undertaken to be able to assess clinic’s compliance with the regulatory requirements.”
Mrs Justice Eady elaborated that the assessment “drilled down to the detail of the service provided… with patient safety foremost in mind.” While acknowledging the importance of the CQC’s consideration of the “particular, and changing, approach adopted by the NHS,” she concluded that the criticisms levelled against the clinic pertained to its internal structure and were “focused on issues of form rather than substance.”
Disappointment from Campaigners
Following the judgment, Ms Evans, speaking on behalf of an unnamed mother, expressed significant disappointment.”to say I am disappointed is an understatement,” she stated.
NHS Gender Services and the Cass Review
The NHS is in the process of expanding its specialist children’s gender clinics,with plans for three operational clinics and an additional five by the end of 2026,aiming to cover all seven NHS regions in England. It is indeed understood that as the publication of the Cass Review, the NHS multi-disciplinary team has not yet issued any recommendations for hormone treatment for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Clinic and Regulator Respond
The outcome of the judicial review means Gender Plus can continue to operate its clinics in London, Birmingham, and Leeds. A spokesperson for Gender Plus Hormone Clinic commented, “This Judicial Review further demonstrates the diligence and integrity of our work. We operate according to the highest standards, always putting patient safety and wellbeing at the heart of every decision. We couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome.”
A Care Quality Commission spokesperson responded,”We are pleased that today’s ruling recognises CQC’s regulatory expertise. It also supports the systems and processes at CQC that put the needs of people using services at their heart and help to ensure that people receive care and treatment in a safe way.”