THE LANCET StudentBreaking down boundaries: discrimination within our health care systemThis blog was submitted by ZKristensen on 9th February 2012. | Tagged with Transgender, LGBT, discrimination
http://www.thelancetstudent.com/blog/breaking-down-boundaries-discrimination-within-our-health-care-systemhttps://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,116141.0.html Related article
"1 in 6 transgender individuals have faced discrimination at the hands medical 'professionals' within the NHS." Zoe Kristensen questions whether discimination in this area stems from a lack of education and guidance as to how those with differing gender identities might be treated.I have watched with a great deal of interest the recent increase in coverage of stories pertaining to gender incongruence within the media and – in the past 6 months particularly – the attempts of various medical colleges, as well as the British government, to address problems faced in the provision of their
care.In December of last year, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists were amongst the first to acknowledge the barriers faced by transgendered individuals in accessing health care and even went so far as to urge health care providers "to foster non-discriminatory practices and policies to increase identification and to facilitate quality health care for transgender individuals, both in assisting with the transition if desired as well as providing long-term preventive health care". Shortly thereafter, the British government announced its 'transgender action plan' which they hope will address the inequalities faced not only in healthcare but other areas of life as well. Encouraging though this is, I'm forced to wonder whether change will ensue or whether it's nothing more than idealism and positive sentiment.
