GP Claims She Was Forced Out of NHS Role After Raising Concerns About Trans Colleague

A General Practitioner (GP) has claimed she was subjected to bullying and harassment, leading to her resignation from the NHS, after she raised concerns about a transgender colleague's treatment of gender-distressed children.

Dr. Sarah Redvers, who served as a safeguarding GP for NHS services in Sussex, alleges she was accused of transphobia for questioning the practice of Dr. Sam Hall, a lead clinician at Brighton's WellBN practice. Dr. Redvers filed a constructive dismissal claim against NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board.

The tribunal heard that Dr. Redvers initially raised concerns in July 2020 regarding Dr. Hall's administration of puberty blockers to individuals under 18. An investigation by NHS England concluded it was satisfied with the care provided by Dr. Hall at the time. However, six years later, a separate report identified multiple failings affecting up to 78 children at Dr. Hall's practice.

Dr. Redvers' initial concerns arose when an 18-year-old female patient sought to transfer testosterone prescriptions from an overseas online clinic to Dr. Hall's practice. Dr. Redvers discovered that such prescriptions had indeed been issued by Dr. Hall.

Dr. Hall, a transgender man who qualified as a GP in 2019, is an advocate for transgender rights in Brighton. He was a lead clinician at the WellBN practice, where he collaborated with the NHS to establish a Trans Health Hub and worked with the local trans support charity, The Clare Project. Dr. Hall has publicly supported 'affirmative care,' a philosophy that involves accepting a patient's gender identity without challenge and tailoring treatment accordingly.

Dr. Redvers reported her concerns about the 18-year-old patient to NHS England (NHSE) as a whistleblower. While NHSE's initial investigation found no cause for concern, further complaints regarding Dr. Hall's practice emerged in the following months. Other GPs reportedly shared worries with Dr. Redvers about the quality of assessments, the prescription of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, and the lack of specialist supervision at the WellBN clinic.

A second NHS investigation was initiated to examine the broader scope of Dr. Hall's work. Dr. Redvers stated that an investigator mentioned a general fear of "allegations of transphobia." This investigation also concluded without finding cause for concern, but noted "one colleague whose persistent interest in the issue appeared disproportionate," which Dr. Redvers believed referred to her.

Dr. Redvers described the suggestion of transphobia as "appalling" and "dangerous," emphasizing the critical nature of medical assessment and treatment for vulnerable patients.

While awaiting the outcome of the second investigation, Dr. Redvers learned of further concerns regarding the care of a 15-year-old patient. She subsequently referred Dr. Hall to the General Medical Council (GMC).

In response, Dr. Hall emailed Adam Doyle, then-CEO of NHS Sussex, alleging he was being "victimized" and needed "proper protection." It later emerged that Doyle had met with Dr. Hall for mentoring sessions prior to this email, despite initially telling the tribunal he did not know him.

Although the GMC did not proceed with an investigation into Dr. Hall, the NHS launched its own probe into Dr. Redvers, employing an external investigator. Dr. Redvers described this interrogation, which lasted four hours, as "brutal," "oppressive," and "very upsetting." She took several months off work for trauma treatment.

Colleagues interviewed as part of the investigation into Dr. Redvers also raised complaints about the process, most of which were upheld by the NHS. The investigation concluded that CEO Doyle and the NHS trust should apologize to Dr. Redvers, warning that her treatment could deter staff from raising concerns. A year later, a trans campaigner reportedly suggested Dr. Redvers was transphobic in an NHS meeting.

Feeling unsupported by the NHS, Dr. Redvers resigned from her position. As she departed, a group of parents, school governors, and social workers began raising concerns about WellBN and Dr. Hall.

In June 2026, six years after Dr. Redvers' initial concerns, an independent NHS patient safety investigation found that up to 78 children, some as young as 13, had been inappropriately prescribed drugs at the WellBN practice. The report indicated potential harm to dozens of children from puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones prescribed without adequate checks.

Dr. Hall resigned from his GP role and as lead clinician at WellBN in June 2025 amid the ongoing NHSE probe.

NHS Surrey and Sussex stated they engaged professionally with the Employment Tribunal, acknowledging that some employment processes could have been handled differently and that apologies were made to Dr. Redvers. They await the tribunal's findings for further comment.

NHS England confirmed that when concerns about prescribing practices were escalated in 2023, they initiated formal investigations. Wider concerns led to the WellBN practice being asked to cease its specialized prescribing service. New information prompted NHS England and NHS Sussex to initiate an independent patient safety investigation in 2025.

The outcome of Dr. Redvers' employment tribunal is expected in several months.