Scottish psychologist in 'misconduct' hearing over anti-trans posts

Dr Anne Woodhouse, a former NHS psychologist who now runs her own Inverness-based practice Solution Psychology, is accused of creating or engaging with posts saying that trans people are mainly “the result of men’s sexual fetishes” and showing a swastika formed by rainbow flags.

Posts published by the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service are split into two categories: ones Dr Woodhouse is accused of having “posted and/or permitted to be posted”; and ones which she allegedly “‘liked’ and/ or permitted to be ‘liked’”.

READ MORE: Sandie Peggie v NHS Fife case 'shows trans segregation is unlawful', MSPs told

The first category lists two posts, the first of which stated: “The majority of trans women are the result of men’s sexual fetishes, the rest are homosexuals who have chosen an alternative path. If you think anyone is born in the wrong body you have committed to a faith based religion. I prefer evidence based science [sic].”

And the second said: “Normalising sexualised behaviour around children is grooming. Perhaps not groomed for the drag queen but that drag queen has just primed children for the predator who also says this sex malarkey is fun, come join me.”

The second category lists three posts. The first said: “There’s no such thing as a ‘trans kid’. Fight me”. The second said, “Trans reichs are human reichs”, and the third was a “picture of rainbow flags forming a swastika”.

This swastika made up of rainbow flags was posted by former GB News host Lawrence Fox in 2022 (Image: Web)

Dr Woodhouse faced a hearing of the Conduct and Competence Committee on Wednesday, which will decide whether her “fitness to practise is impaired by reason of misconduct”.

Dr Woodhouse's position, as confirmed in the hearing on Wednesday, is that she denies all of the allegations.

According to the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA), misconduct can apply “both in a registrant’s professional and private life” and extends to cover “racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory behaviour”.

If the panel finds misconduct, and finds that the misconduct has impaired a person’s ability to practise, the PSA states that the following sanctions could be imposed:

• A caution or warning – which is on the registrant’s record usually for up to five years. This doesn’t stop them practising but it marks the fact that something inappropriate happened.
• Conditions of practice – usually this might require the registrant to undertake further training, or be supervised. Usually conditions are used where there are clinical concerns or where the registrant has a health condition. They give the registrant time to put things right.
• Suspension – this prevents the registrant practising for up to a year and is used where conditions aren’t suitable (perhaps because the registrant hasn’t taken part in the process and there’s no evidence that they’ll comply with the conditions) or where the misconduct is very serious.
• Removal from the register (sometimes called erasure and informally known as 'striking off') – for the most serious conduct where nothing less will do to mark its seriousness or maintain confidence.
• No sanction, although the PSA says this will happen only in “some exceptional cases”.

Dr Woodhouse is being legally represented by barrister Naomi Cunningham and Lauren Wilson of Markel Law. Cunningham also represented Sandie Peggie in her employment tribunal against NHS Fife.

The hearing will continue on Thursday, with the final date set for December 16, although it may end sooner.