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| New policy on sex change therapy | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Transgender patients in Wales will now be able to access funding for gender reassignment therapy under a new policy by the Health Commission Wales (HCW). | Transgender patients in Wales will now be able to access funding for gender reassignment therapy under a new policy by the Health Commission Wales (HCW). |
| Previously "exceptional circumstances" had to be applied to funding applications for treatment of gender dysphoria. | Previously "exceptional circumstances" had to be applied to funding applications for treatment of gender dysphoria. |
| The condition means those affected feel trapped in the body of the wrong sex. | The condition means those affected feel trapped in the body of the wrong sex. |
| The HCW said the Welsh Health Minister had now approved this policy. It means Wales follows other UK nations. | The HCW said the Welsh Health Minister had now approved this policy. It means Wales follows other UK nations. |
| A HCW spokesman said: "We have been working with the Gender Trust on the development of a policy for accessing this treatment in Wales. | A HCW spokesman said: "We have been working with the Gender Trust on the development of a policy for accessing this treatment in Wales. |
| "The policy will enhance access to treatment under clear access criteria." | "The policy will enhance access to treatment under clear access criteria." |
| Waiting these past six years has been completely soul destroying Miss Pearce, transsexual patient | Waiting these past six years has been completely soul destroying Miss Pearce, transsexual patient |
| In the last 12 months, the HCW has reviewed a backlog of failed cases since 2005, and funded approximately 20. | In the last 12 months, the HCW has reviewed a backlog of failed cases since 2005, and funded approximately 20. |
| The Gender Trust and Press for Change, another organisation for transgender people, have welcomed the move. | The Gender Trust and Press for Change, another organisation for transgender people, have welcomed the move. |
| Benjamin Thom, vice-chair of the Gender Trust, said: "Welsh trans people had been dramatically affected by the policy, leading to suicide attempts, public abuse and financial ruin." | Benjamin Thom, vice-chair of the Gender Trust, said: "Welsh trans people had been dramatically affected by the policy, leading to suicide attempts, public abuse and financial ruin." |
| He estimates that around five trans people per year will seek gender reassignment in Wales. | He estimates that around five trans people per year will seek gender reassignment in Wales. |
| Miss Pearce (who withheld her first name), 27, was diagnosed with gender dysphoria six years ago, when she was told there were no options for treatment. | Miss Pearce (who withheld her first name), 27, was diagnosed with gender dysphoria six years ago, when she was told there were no options for treatment. |
| "Waiting these past six years has been completely soul destroying. I tried to kill myself three times," Miss Pearce, from Pontycymer in Bridgend county, said. | "Waiting these past six years has been completely soul destroying. I tried to kill myself three times," Miss Pearce, from Pontycymer in Bridgend county, said. |
| It is understood that surgery to treat gender reassignment can cost between £8,000 and £15,000. | |
| Gender reassignment can be "crucial" for trans people who want to live permanently in their preferred gender role, said Stephen Whittle, a professor of equalities law at Manchester Met University and vice-president of Press for Change. | Gender reassignment can be "crucial" for trans people who want to live permanently in their preferred gender role, said Stephen Whittle, a professor of equalities law at Manchester Met University and vice-president of Press for Change. |
| He said: "People still think gender reassignment treatment is a matter of personal lifestyle choice when in fact they are life savers." | He said: "People still think gender reassignment treatment is a matter of personal lifestyle choice when in fact they are life savers." |
| Dr Deenesh Khoosal, a psychiatrist and spokesman for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said treatment of gender dysphoria is "a complicated process" that can include surgery, hormone therapy, counselling and speech therapy. | Dr Deenesh Khoosal, a psychiatrist and spokesman for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said treatment of gender dysphoria is "a complicated process" that can include surgery, hormone therapy, counselling and speech therapy. |