Since 2022, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CHQ HHS) and Dr Jillian Spencer, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist have been in dispute in relation to Queensland Children’s Gender Service policy approach to gender treatment for children and adolescents and Dr Spencer’s clinical concerns and public statements on that topic.
Dr Spencer and CHQ HHS confirm that those disputes have now been settled. CHQ HHS has agreed to make this statement as part of that settlement.
CHQ HHS confirms that Dr Spencer has concluded her employment with CHQ HHS.
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.
In 2025, in accordance with the Health Service Directive titled ‘Treatment of Gender Dysphoria in Children and Adolescents with Hormone Therapy’ dated 28 January 2025 and Ministerial Directions titled ‘Treatment of Gender Dysphoria in Children and Adolescents with Hormone Therapy’ dated 28 October 2025 and 15 January 2026, the State 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.
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.
All matters between the parties have been resolved by mutual agreement. All disciplinary proceedings against Dr Spencer have been discontinued.
The terms of the resolution are confidential.
CHQ HHS wishes Dr Spencer well in her future endeavours.
ENDS