Judicial Review Rules in favour of CQC decision to register GPHC!
In a much-needed win for the transgender community, a judge has upheld the decision by the CQC to both register and grant an ‘Outstanding’ rating to the Gender Plus Hormone Clinic (GPHC) - the UK’s only regulated independent provider of transgender healthcare to both young people and adults. The outcome means that the provider can continue to deliver its services to those aged 16 and over from its UK clinics in London, Birmingham and Leeds.
The Judicial Review, which was brought by Susan Evans and an anonymous mother in November 2024, challenged the CQC's decision to regulate the clinic. However, after a thorough review, Mrs Justice Eady DBE concluded that she was: “satisfied the steps taken by the CQC were rationally focused on scrutinising the actual process by which [GPHC] provided the service.“
Further, Justice Eady DBE added that there was no “evidence of improper decision-making or anything else that could give rise to [a] legitimate concerns relevant to patient safety or well-being.” and that it was “not irrational for the CQC to consider [GPHC’s] registration should not be subject to further conditions.”
The removal of the GPHC’s registration would have left the service’s 16 and 17 year old patients with no choice but to join the years-long waiting lists to access gender services via the NHS. In the case of those for whom waiting is not a viable option, the likelihood that they would have sought access care via unregulated providers, or turn to self medicating without crucial medical oversight, was significant.
Dr Aidan Kelly, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and director of Gender Plus said: “Transgender healthcare is subject to the highest levels of scrutiny and as a committed provider of safe, effective, essential healthcare to this patient population we have always held ourselves to the most rigorous standards.
“Indeed, the outcome of the Judicial Review supports this claim, stating that: The detailed findings made by the CQC in these respects have not been challenged; these attest to the high standards of care provided to patients throughout the integrated service operated by [GPHC].” We are absolutely delighted at this outcome and we will continue to work hard to deliver our essential services to our patient cohort.”
Nurse Consultant Paul Carruthers heads up the Gender Plus Hormone Clinic. He added: “The fact that these standards have held up to scrutiny time and again is testament to the expertise we have within our organisation and the importance we place on patient care. I am incredibly proud of the entire team. Achieving an Outstanding rating from the CQC is a powerful reflection of the care, professionalism, and compassion that runs through everything we do. The outcome of this Judicial Review further demonstrates the diligence and integrity of our work - we operate according to the highest standards, always putting patient safety and well-being at the heart of every decision - we couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome.”
Full details of the outcome of the Judicial Review can be accessed at: https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/evans-and-another-v-care-quality-commission/
