TimesOnline.co.uk – By Steve Bird
A pychiatrist rushed patients into sex-change operations and told them that they could pay for the surgery by working as escorts, a medical tribunal was told yesterday.
Russell Reid, 63, is accused of breaching guidelines for treating patients suffering from gender identity disorder while working as a psychiatrist at a private London clinic.
The General Medical Council was told that some of his patients later regretted their sex change and were left psychologically damaged by the operation.
Dr Reid was also accused of prescribing hormone therapy, which can lead to breast development in men and deepening of the voice in women, for four patients after consultations lasting just one hour.
Dr Reid denies inappropriate behaviour towards the patients and acting contrary to treatment guidelines. He also denies a charge of serious professional misconduct.