NHS Whistleblower wins damages

A child safeguarding expert who faced vilification after raising concerns over the safety of children undergoing surgery at a London NHS gender identity clinic has received £20,000 in damages at an employment tribunal.

It was ruled that NHS’s Tavistock and Portman Trust’s treatment of her had damaged her professional reputation and prevented her from doing ‘proper work on safeguarding’. Sonia Appleby’s role was to protect children from maltreatment.

The trust in question has faced criticism over its treatment including the provision of drugs known as puberty blockers to children as young as 10.