Updated at 6:07am on
2 August 2010
Transgender patients
wanting sex change operations and hormone treatments say they are marginalised
by disrespectful, ill-informed doctors and a baffling health system.
A Human Rights Commission report
two years ago found transgender services are patchy and inaccessible.
This week, doctors and
transgender people are joining forces on a one-year national project to improve
them.
A member of the team, Waikato
plastic surgeon Chris McEwan, says frustration with the system and the almost
$40,000 cost of the operation drives two-thirds of patients overseas for
treatment.
The Medical Association says not
all doctors can be qualified in this area, but they are expected to treat all
patients with respect.
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