The Courier Mail reports that “Queensland Health has cleared suspended psychiatrist Dr Jillian Spencer of all wrongdoing and paid her a substantial settlement after she raised concerns about gender dysphoria treatments for children.” Spencer was stood down after criticising the service’s treatment of children. All disciplinary actions have been discontinued.
Spencer was supported by HRLA – the Human Rights Law Alliance – which described her case as raising wider concerns. “In 2023, Jillian raised concerns that fell on the wrong side of a prevailing orthodoxy by questioning the automatic “affirmation” model of treating gender-confused children, and she has carried the professional and personal consequences ever since. Her position sits inside a now-familiar pattern. Across Australia, the freedom to speak and to act according to conscience comes into conflict with radical transgender ideology. A clinician who questions a contested model of care is no longer met with argument. She is met with professional sanction and termination.”
A media statement from Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service acknowledges Spencer was responding to her professional concerns.
“The CHQ HHS acknowledges that these are matters of legitimate professional and public debate, and that clinicians play an important role in raising concerns about patient safety and clinical practice.”
“Dr Spencer has been a strong advocate for change in Queensland in the model of care for children and adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria.”
“CHQ HHS accepts that Dr Spencer’s concerns were grounded in her training and background as an experienced child and adolescent psychiatrist.”
“CHQ HHS acknowledges that health practitioners must take a clinical approach to the treatment of gender dysphoria that focuses on the best available research and the child’s best interests rather than directing a child down a pre-determined treatment pathway. Health practitioners must employ a holistic clinical approach that comprehensively assesses all relevant factors – including any comorbidities or other mental health conditions – and use information gathered from that process to determine the best available mode of treatment and care for the patient.”
“CHQ HHS also acknowledges Dr Spencer’s service and her contributions to child and adolescent psychiatry during her tenure.”
An ABC report says that Spencer no longer works at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.