Safeguarding GP claims NHS investigation forced her from senior role

A GP has told an employment tribunal that she was forced to leave her NHS safeguarding role after raising concerns about the treatment of children and young people questioning their gender.

Dr Sarah Redvers, formerly a named safeguarding GP in Sussex, claims she was accused of transphobia and subjected to a damaging internal investigation after passing on concerns raised by other doctors. Those concerns included whether young patients were being properly assessed before receiving puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones.

Redvers resigned in July 2024 and has brought a constructive dismissal claim against NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board and its former chief executive, Adam Doyle. The respondents contest her claim, and the tribunal has not yet delivered its judgment. NHS Surrey and Sussex has acknowledged that some employment processes should have been handled differently and has apologised to her.

A separate NHS patient-safety investigation later examined treatment provided at Brighton’s WellBN practice. It found that 78 children had received puberty blockers or hormones following inadequate assessments, with concerns also identified around consent, safeguarding, monitoring and professional competence.

NHS England said the care provided by some practitioners was unacceptable and that young people had been placed at risk. Dr Sam Hall, whose practice formed part of Redvers’ original concerns, has previously defended his work as compassionate care for a marginalised patient group. The General Medical Council is assessing the findings of the WellBN investigation.

The tribunal’s ruling is expected in the coming months and will determine whether Redvers was constructively dismissed and unlawfully treated by her former employer. Until then, her account remains an allegation that has not been judicially established.

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