DHB gender-affirming healthcare services

Gloria Fraser made this Official Information request to Waikato District Health Board

The request was successful.

From: Gloria Fraser

Tēnā koutou,
I am writing to request information about the gender-affirming healthcare services provided by the Waikato District Health Board.

Could you please advise whether the following gender-affirming healthcare services are funded by the Waikato District Health Board for transgender patients, and whether the services are currently available:

- Hormone therapy
- Mastectomy
- Hysterectomy
- Orchidectomy
- Facial hair removal
- Breast augmentation
- Voice training

Could you please provide information about the process of accessing those services that are available?

- Specifically, is an assessment by a mental health professional required in order to access gender-affirming healthcare services? If so, which services?
- In the case of hormone therapy, can primary health providers prescribe hormones, or does this have to be initially approved by an endocrinologist?
- Is any period of real life experience required to access surgery?

Finally, could you please advise what the process is if transgender patients require one of the above services, but the Waikato District Health Board does not offer this service? Does the Waikato District Health Board currently fund patients to travel to other areas to access this healthcare?

If any part of my request is unclear, please don't hesitate to contact me.

If any of the information that I have requested is unavailable or would be difficult to retrieve, but similar information might be readily available, I would be happy to discuss altering or refining my request.

Ngā mihi,
Gloria Fraser

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From: Nat Middleton
Waikato District Health Board

Afternoon

This is to acknowledge receipt of your request for information. I have passed the request to the appropriate service and will provide a response by or before the 23 June.

Regards

Natalee Middleton
Personal Assistant to Tanya Maloney - Executive Director Strategy & Funding
Personal Assistant to Damian Tomic - Clinical Director Primary and Integrated Care

Level 9, KPMG building, 85 Alexandra Street, Hamilton
Phone: (07) 834 3600 ext: 97600 | [mobile number] | Email: [email address]

My Values
Theme “People at Heart” – Te iwi Ngakaunui
• Give and earn respect - Whakamana
• Listen to me; talk to me – Whakarongo
• Fair play – Mauri Pai
• Growing the good – Whakapakari
• Stronger together – Kotahitanga

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From: Nat Middleton
Waikato District Health Board


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Dear Ms Fraser

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

Kind regards
Natalee

 

 

Natalee Middleton

Personal Assistant to Damian Tomic - Clinical Director Primary and
Integrated Care

 

Level 9, KPMG building, 85 Alexandra Street, Hamilton

Phone: (07) 834 3600 ext: 97600 | [mobile number] | Email:
[1][email address]

 

[2]https://intranet.sharepoint.waikato.heal...

 

This electronic message, together with any attachments is confidential and
may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient: 1.do not copy,
disclose or use the contents in any way. 2.please let me know by return
email immediately and then destroy the message. Waikato DHB is not
responsible for any changes made to this message and/or any attachments
after sending by Waikato DHB. Before opening or using attachments, check
them for viruses and effects. Waikato DHB takes no responsibility for
affected attachments. Click on link www.waikatodhb.health.nz/disclaimer to
view the company policy website. If you are not redirected to the company
policy website then copy and paste the URL into a new browser window.
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From: Gloria Fraser

Kia ora,

Thank you for your response.

Could you please clarify one aspect of my request that was not addressed:

Is an assessment by a mental health professional required in order to access gender-affirming healthcare services? If so, which services?

Ngā mihi,
Gloria

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From: Nat Middleton
Waikato District Health Board

Hi Gloria

I have forwarded on your request for an answer. You will get a response from Rebecca Walker.

Kind regards,
Nat

Natalee Middleton
Personal Assistant to Damian Tomic - Clinical Director Strategy and Funding, and Primary Care

Level 9, KPMG building, 85 Alexandra Street, Hamilton
Phone: (07) 834 3600 ext: 97600 | [mobile number] | Email: [email address]

My Values
Theme “People at Heart” – Te iwi Ngakaunui
• Give and earn respect - Whakamana
• Listen to me; talk to me – Whakarongo
• Fair play – Mauri Pai
• Growing the good – Whakapakari
• Stronger together – Kotahitanga

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From: Carolyne Grainger
Waikato District Health Board


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Kia ora Gloria

 

Further to your email of 10 July, you asked an additional question as part
of your request for information.

 

You asked:

 

Is an assessment by a mental health professional required in order to
access gender-affirming healthcare services? If so, which services?

 

In response, there is currently no formal requirement for assessment by a
Mental Health Professional in order to access gender-affirming healthcare
services, although most current guidelines suggest that they (Mental
Health Professionals) have a role to play in supporting GPs and sexual
health practitioners in assessment and consultation processes. 

 

Where there may be some requirement for support from Mental Health
Services for those whose diagnosis is not clear or where specific mental
health issues are identified, referrals are made to the
Consultation-Liaison mental health service.  Any other ongoing mental
health issues for transgendered persons are routinely assessed and cared
for in the appropriate mental health services (Adult community, Infant
Child and Adolescent, etc). 

 

I hope the above provides a helpful response to your question.  If you
have any queries, please feel free to contact me.

 

Nga mihi

 

Carolyne

 

Carolyne Grainger|PA to the Executive Director & Director of Clinical
Services/DAMHS|Mental Health and Addictions Service|Health Waikato

p +64 7 834 3621|f  +64 7 834 3640|e
[1][email address]

Give and Earn Respect – Whakamana   Stronger Together – Kotahitanga   Fair
Play – Mauri Pai 

Listen to me, talk to me – Whakarongo   Growing the good – Whakapakari

 

 

[2]2016 12 04 Logo

 

 

 

This electronic message, together with any attachments is confidential and
may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient: 1.do not copy,
disclose or use the contents in any way. 2.please let me know by return
email immediately and then destroy the message. Waikato DHB is not
responsible for any changes made to this message and/or any attachments
after sending by Waikato DHB. Before opening or using attachments, check
them for viruses and effects. Waikato DHB takes no responsibility for
affected attachments. Click on link www.waikatodhb.health.nz/disclaimer to
view the company policy website. If you are not redirected to the company
policy website then copy and paste the URL into a new browser window.
This email has been filtered by SMX. For more information visit
[3]smxemail.com

References

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