Safety inquiry finds 78 children received gender medication at Brighton clinic without required checks

An independent safety inquiry determined that 78 children received gender-related medication at the WellBN clinic in Brighton without completing required medical checks, according to findings released this week.

Investigators examined clinical records and procedures at the facility and identified gaps in how the clinic administered care before prescribing treatment. The inquiry did not conduct an assessment of actual harm to individual patients but flagged the omission of standard checks as a safety concern.

The clinic serves young people seeking gender-affirming care in the South East England region. WellBN operates as part of the broader NHS network providing such services to minors.

The investigation found that clinicians at WellBN did not complete blood tests and other baseline medical assessments before initiating medication in 78 cases. These checks are standard practice to establish a patient's health status prior to starting pharmaceutical treatment.

The inquiry reviewed how the clinic conducted initial consultations, documented patient histories, and monitored ongoing care. Investigators also examined the qualifications and training of staff members involved in prescribing decisions.

Official guidance from the NHS and relevant medical bodies sets out requirements for baseline assessments before gender-affirming hormone treatment begins. The inquiry concluded the clinic deviated from these established protocols in the cases identified.

WellBN officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the findings. The clinic serves approximately 1,000 young people at any given time, according to NHS records.

The safety inquiry was commissioned following complaints from parents and referrals from NHS oversight bodies. Investigators interviewed current and former staff members and reviewed administrative files spanning a three-year period.

The findings add WellBN to a growing list of gender care clinics in Britain that have faced formal safety reviews in recent years. The NHS has expanded its oversight of such facilities as clinical practice in the field continues to evolve.

Michael Hooper, the senior investigator conducting the review, stated in the report that "the omission of required medical assessments represents a significant deviation from established clinical standards and creates an unacceptable gap in patient safety procedures."

Following the inquiry, NHS leadership instructed WellBN to implement corrective measures immediately. The clinic must now conduct audits of all open cases to ensure current patients have undergone required baseline testing. WellBN also agreed to hire an additional senior clinician with experience in gender medicine and revise its intake procedures.

The 78 young people identified in the inquiry have been contacted by NHS officials. Families have been informed of the findings and offered the opportunity to have their child complete outstanding medical assessments at no additional cost.

The investigation did not identify instances where individual patients suffered documented medical complications. However, the absence of baseline data prevents clinicians from monitoring whether any adverse effects occurred during treatment.