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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| New policy on sex change therapy | New policy on sex change therapy |
| (4 days later) | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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." |
| 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 trans people, have welcomed the move. | |
| Trans people is a term used to describe those who often have complex gender identities - including transvestite, transgender and transsexual. | |
| 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." |
| Mr Thom 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. |
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| Dee Jenkins tells of her reaction to the announcement | |
| "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, from male to female, can cost between £8,000 and £15,000, while surgery from female to male is more expensive. | It is understood that surgery to treat gender reassignment, from male to female, can cost between £8,000 and £15,000, while surgery from female to male is more expensive. |
| A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "Funding for the treatment will come from the existing HCW budget. There is no additional funding." | A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "Funding for the treatment will come from the existing HCW budget. There is no additional funding." |
| 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. |