Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Baroness Maclean of Redditch (Conservative) on Friday, 11 September 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 25 September 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Monday, 28 September 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Gender Dysphoria: Health Services

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of online telemedicine services providing hormones and adult gender clinic services, considering some are based outside of the UK and so are not subject to the Care Quality Commission.

Answer

In August 2025, the Government launched a call for evidence on private, non-National Health Service prescribing, which included an invitation for views on online prescribing, hormone prescribing, and prescribing by practitioners based in the European Economic Area. We are considering the evidence and next steps.

Since 1 January 2025, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has received three reports of suspected breaches of the Order cited by the Noble Baroness. All three reports were investigated, but no offences were identified and no criminal enforcement action was taken. In one case, the agency referred safeguarding concerns to the relevant local multi-agency safeguarding team, notified the relevant European regulatory authority about the prescribing doctor’s activities, and passed information about a possible breach by a registered pharmacy to the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3452
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Health services Standards Care Quality Commission Gender dysphoria Telemedicine
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk