A prominent Australian psychiatrist who has warned of the risks of gender-affirming medical treatment for children and teenagers has been banned from posting his objections on social media and had restrictions put on his practice by the health regulator.
Queensland psychiatrist Andrew Amos has been ordered by the Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to stop making online statements about gender issues and is barred from having direct clinical contact with any patients.
The Australian reports Dr. Amos’s supporters say the move is a warning to medical professionals who might consider speaking out publicly against gender-affirming treatment for minors, and that it represents a gross overreach by regulators in response to complaints by trans activists.
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) writes: “Whatever your view on the issue, silencing debate is not how medicine advances.”
AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN LOBBY CONDEMNS MUZZLING OF PSYCHIATRIST
“Around the world, governments and experts have raised concerns about the strength of evidence for puberty blockers and cross sex hormones in minors,” observed the ACL.
“In Australia, even the Family Court of Australia has recently scrutinised expert evidence in gender cases.”
“Yet instead of open discussion, we are seeing regulatory force used against dissenting clinicians.”
“If doctors cannot question emerging and controversial treatments without risking their careers, the effects will be chilling and far-reaching.” the ACL warned.
HOW HEALTH REGULATORS HAVE SHUT DOWN DR. ANDREW AMOS
Dr. Amos is an academic psychiatrist at James Cook University and chair of the Queensland Section of Rural Psychiatry with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, but has been at odds with the RANZCP over gender medicine, arguing that the gender-affirming model of care is incompatible with evidence-based practice.
Under his draconian restrictions, Dr. Amos must provide AHPRA with details of all his social media profiles to show he has not posted any comments “in relation to gender medicine, gender identity and/or expression and transgender persons”.
He cannot practise except at an “approved” location and is barred from “any role requiring direct or indirect clinical patient contact”.
The Australian understands the conditions were imposed in response to four complaints over social media comments about transgender people and quotes in a news article criticising gender-affirming medical treatment.
Supporters of Dr. Amos point out that in Queensland, where he works, the state government has suspended the use of puberty blockers and hormones for children because of concernst is concerns about potential dangers.
ANOTHER OUTSPOKEN PSYCHIATRIST FEARS FOR HER CAREER
Psychiatrist Jillian Spencer, who has been suspended from Queensland Health since 2024 after questioning the gender-affirmation model used to treat children at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, said she was deeply concerned that other doctors, including herself, may be targeted by AHPRA.
“I’m very anxious that I’ll be next, I’ve managed to keep my registration so far, but I don’t know how long I’ve got left,” Dr. Spencer admitted.
Dr. Spencer has written an open letter she hopes others in the profession will sign, but says: “I’m a bit scared that all my colleagues will run for cover, because once AHPRA has acted so harshly, then no one’s prepared to take any risk.
“Within our profession, there has been absolute suppression of any capacity to debate the issue in medical professional forums.”
“We’re not allowed to present at various conferences, journal articles get stopped by activist reviewers and so we can’t discuss it in public either.”
ACL DEMANDS LIFTING OF GAG ORDER ON DR. AMOS
The ACL has called for the immediate lifting of the conditions on Dr. Amos and a transparent review of how these decisions are being made.
“Medical regulation must protect patients, but it must also protect the freedom of responsible clinicians to raise concerns in the public interest.”
“Patients, parents and practitioners all deserve transparent, evidence based debate, not closed doors and gag orders.”