A mother shares her great relief at finding ‘compassionate expertise’ at WellBN (Brighton GP Practice) to treat her 17 year old daughters Gender Inconguence (Dysphoria)

Fern’s daughter Heather (both names are changed for safeguarding reasons) began her care at WellBN in February. After two very anxious years of sourcing healthcare privately, Fern finally found care that met her daughter’s needs.

Fern says “After years of suffering and being failed by the system, Dr Sam Hall’s compassionate expertise at WellBN gave my daughter the care she desperately needed, allowing her to blossom into the happy, hopeful young person we’d almost lost.”

Two painful years

Heather began receiving gender confirming medication at age 15 via two separate private providers. Fern described the care she received from them as “not at a level that could help my daughter’s particular medical issues.” Fern says “Her issues were with oestrogen levels that refused to lift to therapeutic levels. We tried patches to no avail. It was like she was stuck in what was essentially menopause.”

She describes the providers as not having “the skill to manage her hormone levels correctly.”

Her treatment has been nothing short of miraculous

Finding WellBN was a real turning point for Heather’s health and wellbeing. Fern explains:

“Dr Hall educated her on how to safely take oestrogen tablets’ and manages her hormone levels through regular blood tests.”

Fern explains that “since being with Dr Sam Heather is flourishing. Her moods, concentattion levels, sleep, general mental health and physical changes have all clicked into place.”

Fern points out that the high quality of healthcare is not the only reason for loving WellBN. She also notes the wonderful staff as a reason for her daughter’s recovery.

The 9 months since Dr Sam taking over her treatment has been nothing short of miraculous for us. He will go down in history as a true hero. Sounds grandiose, but I really mean it.

She also speaks very highly of the care her daughter has received under Dr Sam Hall’s recent replacement.

“Dr. Laura Marshal Mattthews has quickly become a vital ally to our community, stepping in to protect our children by taking on prescribing responsibilities and bravely standing her ground against the ICB [NHS Sussex].”

Sussex ICB investigation of WellBN

This summer NHS Sussex ICB launched an investigation into WellBN for continuing to prescribe puberty blockers and hormones to their existing (Pre-puberty blocker ban) under-18 trans patients, even though this is perfectly legal.

The Investigation has caused great distress to the 78 patients and their families affected.

Fern condems the investigation and says “It is clear to all parents that they don’t care to recognise the terror they are causing us.”

Fern does however have great admiration for Dr Laura Marshall Matthews ability to continue treating these patients under very difficult circumstances.

Fern says “ She is only human, and at times it’s clear she has been overwhelmed, not because she lacks ability, but because she has faced the traumatic realities families have shared and the immense complexity of trans healthcare while learning at pace.”

Fern and Heather’s account of life changing healthcare is shared by many other parents of the  patients at WellBN.

Friends of Bylines Network

There has never been a greater need for grassroots journalism that investigates the stories that really matter, holds power to account and champions the voices of everyday citizens. We are proudly powered by volunteers but what we do isn’t free.

STAND WITH US for independent, citizen-led journalism that makes democracy stronger, and you will even get some exclusive benefits.