The Royal Australian College of Physicians has shot down calls for a national inquiry into hormone therapy for transgender children, instead calling on the federal government to increase access to gender services for young Australians.

Federal health minister Greg Hunt asked the college to "provide advice" to his office about the treatment of gender dysphoria in August, after receiving complaints from a group of doctors who oppose the so-called "affirmation model" under which children are supported towards their preferred gender.

In a letter to the minister sent on Thursday and seen by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, the college, president Mark Lane said it "strongly supports expert clinical care that is non-judgmental, supportive and welcoming for children, adolescents and their families experiencing gender dysphoria".

"A fundamental principle of medical care is the need to ensure that care and treatment is provided in the best interests of the patient, and that doctors do not harm those who request care through either their action or inaction," the letter said. Read more via SMH