Transsexual stops hunger strike

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/8046939.stm

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A transsexual who was on a hunger strike over her medical treatment has called off the protest after health officials agreed to reconsider.

Debbie Davies, from Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, was seven days into a hunger strike over the lack of funding for her hormone treatment.

Ms Davies, who was born as Richard in 1966, has been living as a woman for the past 18 months.

Nottinghamshire County PCT said it was reviewing the funding policy.

Ms Davies wants a full surgical sex change but said she cannot afford to fund it privately.

But the news of the Primary Care Trust's decision to review its policy relating to the funding of transsexual procedures led to Ms Davies calling off her hunger strike.

"I've been assured that they will fund and support me through the hormone treatment.

"Subject to the reviews that they are carrying out in June, all I can say at the moment is the outcome looks very positive.

"I can honestly say, for the first time in two-and-a-half years, that I feel very, very reassured."

Review role

Ms Davies, who used to work as a welder as Richard but now works as an IT consultant, said she had bought her own hormone pills online in the past but could no longer afford to keep up the treatment.

She said she had been prescribed a one-off supply of the hormone pills by her GP but this was due to run out this month.

Amanda Sullivan of Nottinghamshire County PCT said Ms Davies would now have a part to play in the review.

"When we became aware the policy was being reviewed we had some correspondence with Debbie.

"We have given Debbie the opportunity to have her views heard and influence the outcome of the review."

Debbie Davies said hormone treatment was the most important thing in the world