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Britain - £250k of tax cash for West Bromwich sex changes...

Submitted by kareng on Mon, 12/05/2008 - 15:13.

Britain - £250k of tax cash for West Bromwich sex changes... 
[2008-05-09 Express & Star]


Friday, 09th May 2008

£250k of tax cash for sex changes

Almost £250,000 of taxpayers’ cash could be spent on sex change 
operations in a Black Country borough each year, it emerged today.

Sandwell Primary Care Trust (PCT) is reviewing its policy on gender 
dysphoria and expects the number of procedures to increase to around 
four a year ­ costing up to £60,000 a time. Bosses today declined to 
confirm current numbers, citing patient confidentiality, but revealed 
over the past three years, there had been “five or less” such 
operations.

Female-to-male surgery costs around £60,000, while male-to-female 
surgery is about £15,000.

Dr Christopher Chiswell, public health doctor for Sandwell PCT, said 
the trust was examining its policy on the funding of treatments for 
gender dysphoria.

He said the review would seek to find ways to make the process easier 
to understand and minimise delays for those suitable for surgery, 
while making sure there was enough time for patients to fully explore 
their decision.

“We are working towards a policy that makes sure we offer appropriate 
interventions for gender dysphoria, in a way that ensures transgender 
individuals can make decisions about their care, fully aware of both 
the potential benefits and the significant risks,” he said.

“Evidence shows that surgery can benefit carefully selected 
individuals, but there are major risks associated with it, including 
incontinence and an increased risk of suicide in some groups.”

He said that historically, Sandwell PCT had seen around three to four 
people each year being referred for surgical interventions for gender 
dysphoria.

There are many different procedures, and costs vary depending on the 
individual choices made in each case.

He added: “Sandwell PCT recognises that the funding of sex 
reassignment surgery represents a difficult and controversial issue 
for many people.

“It is important that we provide fair and accessible support to 
individuals with gender dysphoria. We must also recognise the 
significant concerns about safety, and ensure that the right people 
are referred.”

The PCT has an annual budget of £500,348,000.

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© 2008 - The Express & Star Newspaper, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK

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