Psychiatric nurse launches legal action against NHS Tavistock clinic that offers ‘experimental’ puberty-blocking drugs to children ‘as young as nine’ who want to change gender

‘A landmark case to stop the NHS from prescribing ‘experimental’ puberty blockers to children who wish to undergo gender reassignment will be taken to the High Court.

Former psychiatric nurse Susan Evans, 62, who previously worked for the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, became increasingly concerned that young children were being given ‘experimental treatment’ without what she believed were adequate assessments.

Now, lawyers acting for Ms Evans will lodge papers at the High Court this week in order to commence legal action against the trust which runs the UK’s only gender identity development service (GIDS) in North London.

The case is also being brought on behalf of the mother of an autistic teenager, 15, who was born ‘Katie’ but who now prefers to be called ‘Jon’, who is currently on the waiting list for treatment at the service.

The mother, who is known as Mrs A to protect her child’s identity, and Ms Evans, will argue that children under the age of 18 cannot give valid consent to the administration of hormone blockers and cross-sex hormones.

Ms Evans, who has also held the role of senior fellow in education at the University of East London, has raised almost £28,000 online to fund legal costs and is not seeking compensation.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Evans claimed the Tavistock was willing to offer drugs to children under 16, and even as young as nine or 10.’