Children's Health Queensland HHS makes statement as part of settlement

On 17 July, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CHQ HHS) confirmed in a statement that disputes dating back to 2022 between CHQ HHS and child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Jillian Spencer have now been settled — and that the statement was agreed to by CHQ HHS as part of the settlement. The dispute was in relation to Queensland Children’s Gender Service policy approach to gender treatment for children and adolescents and Spencer’s clinical concerns and public statements on that topic; the statement confirmed that Spencer has concluded her employment with CHQ HHS. Part of the statement read: “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. One of the features of the clinical approach that Dr Spencer has sought is the delay in medical interventions for such patients until adulthood, including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, because they are serious decisions regarding their body and long-term health. “CHQ HHS accepts that Dr Spencer’s concerns were grounded in her training and background as an experienced child and adolescent psychiatrist.” The statement also acknowledged that, in 2025, the Queensland Government effected a temporary pause on the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones in the treatment of new patients in Hospital and Health Services across Queensland. This was in accordance with the ‘Treatment of Gender Dysphoria in Children and Adolescents with Hormone Therapy’ Health Service Directive dated 28 January 2025 and ‘Treatment of Gender Dysphoria in Children and Adolescents with Hormone Therapy’ Ministerial Directions dated 28 October 2025 and 15 January 2026. “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 predetermined treatment pathway,” the statement said. “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.” Spencer’s service and contributions to child and adolescent psychiatry during her tenure were acknowledged by CHQ HHS. The statement said all matters between the parties have been resolved by mutual agreement and all disciplinary proceedings against Spencer have been discontinued. The terms of the resolution are confidential and CHQ HHS wished Spencer well in her future endeavours. Image credit: iStock.com/bgblue