UK: Sex swap op on NHS is up 300%
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:53 amThe Sun >>
Sex swap op on NHS is up 300%
29th June 2009
David Wooding
SEX-change operations on the NHS have TREBLED over the past decade, official figures revealed yesterday.
More than 1,000 people have gone under the knife since 1999 — costing taxpayers up to £10million.
As well as the op, transsexuals often also need costly hormone replacement and psychotherapy on the health service.
The procedure must be given free to all who ask for it after a court ruling ten years ago.
Before that time, those wanting the operation had to fight for special dispensation before the NHS would cover costs.
Figures show that in the last year before sex changes became automatically free, 49 people had the op on the NHS in England and Wales.
But last year, that number had risen to 137, according to the latest statistics. Since 2005, between 135 and 145 people have had the surgery each year.
Critics argue the operations divert scarce resources from patients dying because of healthcare rationing.
But the Health Department insisted the ops are vital.
A spokesman said: “When individuals are denied treatment, psychological distress and depression are common and suicides have been reported.”
Experts estimate that at least 150 other Brits have sex-change operations privately each year.
Bernard Reed, of the Gender Identity Research and Education Society, said: “Gender confirmation surgery is absolutely essential.
“It is an innate condition. People who are born with this condition have no choice.”
Sex swap op on NHS is up 300%
29th June 2009
David Wooding
SEX-change operations on the NHS have TREBLED over the past decade, official figures revealed yesterday.
More than 1,000 people have gone under the knife since 1999 — costing taxpayers up to £10million.
As well as the op, transsexuals often also need costly hormone replacement and psychotherapy on the health service.
The procedure must be given free to all who ask for it after a court ruling ten years ago.
Before that time, those wanting the operation had to fight for special dispensation before the NHS would cover costs.
Figures show that in the last year before sex changes became automatically free, 49 people had the op on the NHS in England and Wales.
But last year, that number had risen to 137, according to the latest statistics. Since 2005, between 135 and 145 people have had the surgery each year.
Critics argue the operations divert scarce resources from patients dying because of healthcare rationing.
But the Health Department insisted the ops are vital.
A spokesman said: “When individuals are denied treatment, psychological distress and depression are common and suicides have been reported.”
Experts estimate that at least 150 other Brits have sex-change operations privately each year.
Bernard Reed, of the Gender Identity Research and Education Society, said: “Gender confirmation surgery is absolutely essential.
“It is an innate condition. People who are born with this condition have no choice.”
