Doctor 'Silenced' Over Child Gender Care Concerns

Dr. Sarah Redvers, a former safeguarding GP, alleges she was

transphobia and harassed out of her NHS child protection position. She claims her concerns about the assessment of young people questioning their gender identity led to a "brutal" investigation.

Redvers is pursuing a constructive dismissal claim against NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board. She stated the focus on investigating her sidelined patient safety, a concern later substantiated. In June 2026, an NHS safety investigation revealed 78 children, some as young as 13, were inappropriately prescribed puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones at the WellBN practice.

This probe, initiated by a drug review in autumn 2024, followed years after Redvers first raised alarms. NHS England deemed it "totally unacceptable" that young people were put at risk. Redvers expressed distress, knowing the scandal could have been averted.

Despite her experience with vulnerable groups, Redvers faced accusations of transphobia when raising concerns about Dr. Sam Hall's practices at WellBN. Hall, a campaigner for transgender rights, was reportedly prescribing without direct patient assessment. An external investigator warned Redvers' treatment could deter staff from raising concerns.

In 2021, Redvers referred Hall to the GMC. Hall complained about victimization, though it later emerged the CEO had prior mentoring meetings with him. The GMC did not proceed, but an NHS investigation into Redvers resulted in her taking extended sick leave. Colleagues also complained about the investigation process.

Following a subsequent instance in 2023 where a trans campaigner labeled her transphobic in an NHS meeting, Redvers felt unsupported and resigned. She believes the NHS must prioritize patients and listen to legitimate staff concerns, awaiting her tribunal's judgment.