Human Rights Commission

The availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of health services impact on trans people’s right to health and on their health outcomes. Trans people have specific health needs including those linked to the process of transitioning.

A total of 78 submissions (61%) made comment about access to general health services, while gender reassignment services were raised in 102 (80%) of the submissions.

2A General Health Services

Trans people have multiple vulnerabilities when unwell that affect access to healthcare. (Lawyer and health worker)

General Practitioners (GPs)

Some submitters had received good support from their doctor. However, slightly more than a third of submissions (43) said general practitioners lacked specific knowledge or awareness about health issues for trans people.

I always have to start from the beginning and teach them rather than concentrate on my own wellbeing and have them help me. (Trans man)

Trans people and health professionals described judgmental or dismissive comments made by GPs and less than adequate attention to health needs. For example, health professionals described how trans people would be “shunted away”. There were a number of instances where doctors refused to provide services to trans people on religious or moral grounds.

Hospitals

Trans people described being addressed by the wrong pronoun or asked inappropriate questions at out-patients or emergency departments. In contrast some people developed good relationships with staff once admitted to hospital. The issue of changing details on hospital records is discussed in Section 3.

Mental Health Services

Wellington health professionals emphasised the need for mental health services to provide support for children and young people and their families when gender identity issues arise. Doing so would reduce the risk that more acute services might be needed later.

One submitter criticised the sex role stereotyping and homophobia of a mental health facility. Other trans and intersex people who had spent time in psychiatric or mental health institutions described what they considered was inappropriate use of behaviour modification treatment, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and prescription drugs.

A trans woman at a community alcohol and drug treatment facility had her gender identity disclosed to other residents and was required to discuss personal details about being transgender. The submitter left the programme and subsequently received an apology from the local DHB with a promise to investigate her complaint.

2B Gender Reassignment Services

A total of 102 (80%) of the submissions referred to issues related to gender reassignment services. These described trans people