Transgender GRS Waitlist & Progress

Jennifer Katherine Shields made this Official Information request to Ministry of Health

The request was successful.

From: Jennifer Katherine Shields

Dear Ministry of Health,

I am writing to request an update on the status of the waitlist for Gender Confirmation Surgery for transgender patients. Namely: the length of the waitlist now; when you expect to resume surgeries, or when you expect to confirm an overseas provider for male to female GRS - something that was due to happen last year; how often you intend to send patients for surgery once they resume, keeping in mind that the last waitlist estimation was 40 years long; and any communications within and from/to the Ministry about both the status of the waitlist and the process of finding a surgeon to continue surgeries.

Further to the Ombudsman's finding with referral to a recent similar request, I would prefer you not withhold any communication in support of the transgender community or expressing frustration at the situation, as the Ombudsman is likely to rule against the withholding of these emails regardless.

Yours faithfully,
Jennifer Katherine Shields

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Ministry of Health


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Dear Jennifer Katherine Shields

Thank you for your request for official information, received by the
Ministry of Health on 25 July 2016. The Ministry's reference number for
your request is: H20160 3018

You requested:

I am writing to request an update on the status of the waitlist for Gender
Confirmation Surgery for transgender patients. Namely: the length of the
waitlist now; when you expect to resume surgeries, or when you expect to
confirm an overseas provider for male to female GRS - something that was
due to happen last year; how often you intend to send patients for surgery
once they resume, keeping in mind that the last waitlist estimation was 40
years long; and any communications within and from/to the Ministry about
both the status of the waitlist and the process of finding a surgeon to
continue surgeries.

Your request has been received and logged.  You can expect a reply no
later than 22 August 2016 as required under the Official Information Act
1982.

Please note that a working day is defined in the Act as ‘any day of the
week other than a Saturday, Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day,
Labour Day, the Sovereigns birthday, Waitangi Day and a day in the period
commencing 25 December in any year and ending 15 January in the following
year.

If a large amount of information has been requested or if the Ministry
needs to consult in order to make a decision, we may need to extend this
date (this is provided for in section 15A of the Act).  We will advise you
if such an extension is necessary.

The Ministry's reference number for your request is: H20160 3018

Yours sincerely,

Samantha Irons l OIA Co-ordinator
[MOH request email]
Government Relations l Ministerial, Executive and Government Services l
Office of the Director General

[1]http://www.health.govt.nz

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Ministry of Health


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Dear Jennifer Shields

Please find attached a letter regarding your request for official
information.

Kind regards,

Samantha Irons l OIA Co-ordinator
[MOH request email]
Government Relations l Office of the Director General

[1]http://www.health.govt.nz
****************************************************************************
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attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
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Ministry of Health


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Dear Jennifer Shields,

There were some unexpected delays and the response to your OIA request
(H201603018) is currently going through final consultation. You can expect
a response by or before the end of the week. We apologise for the delays
in delivering your response.

Kind regards,

Melissa Buckle l OIA Co-ordinator
[MOH request email]
Government Relations l Ministerial, Executive and Government Services l
Office of the Director General

[1]http://www.health.govt.nz
****************************************************************************
Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
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Ministry of Health


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Dear Jennifer Katherine Shields

Please find attached the response to your OIA request regarding gender
confirmation surgery. We apologise for the delay in delivering your
response.

Kind regards,

Melissa Buckle l OIA Co-ordinator
[MOH request email]
Government Relations l Ministerial, Executive and Government Services l
Office of the Director General

[1]http://www.health.govt.nz
****************************************************************************
Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
****************************************************************************

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