Trans patients say they have been left “devastated” by a GP practice’s decision to withdraw treatment enabling them to transition. Jubilee Park Medical Partnership in Nottinghamshire announced it would stop prescribing trans healthcare to patients, including those currently on hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
The move has prompted anger from trans patients and the wider community, with dozens of people attending a protest organised by Nottingham Against Transphobia outside Park House Medical Centre in Carlton on Tuesday, December 31. Among the crowd were patients who said the withdrawal of treatment would have “crippling” consequences.
“I’ve been so stressed and upset about how I’m going to access healthcare,” said Samathy Barratt, 29, who has been receiving oestrogen and testosterone blockers from the practice. “If I weren’t to receive testosterone blocking meds I would experience a reversal of the transitioning effects.
“That would be devastating for my mental health to be forced to detransition. I’m lucky I haven’t had any surgery, if I had there would be significant health risks.
“I’m particularly worried about that for other patients.”
Specialist transgender services are commissioned nationally and delivered through gender identity clinics. However the clinics are not allowed to prescribe and monitor any medications, with GPs instead requested to carry out such work alongside guidance from gender specialists. Bosses at Jubilee Park said their decision to withdraw the treatments was made due to a lack of funding and the work “not being part of the GP contract”.
Sophie England, who organised the protest, said she believed transgender people were “being used as pawns” in a funding dispute between the GP practice and wider NHS.
“This is a failing GP group which is financially struggling and think they can cut this to save money,” said the 36-year-old. “If I was a cisgender woman getting the same hormones it would carry on, transgender people should get the same level of care.
“We have to stand up and make it clear that this is unacceptable.”
A spokesperson from Jubilee Park Medical Partnership added: “Jubilee Park Medical Partnership continues to be very supportive of our transgender patients.
“This work is more appropriately provided by a specialist as it is beyond the clinical expertise and knowledge of the GPs to provide this service in the way that it should be provided.”
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