A draft guide for medical practitioners caring for transgender people has been released for consultation. Counties Manukau District Health Board has released the comprehensive document and feedback is now being sought from trans people, to ensure the resource is as useful as possible for health professionals and the trans people they support. The report says trans patients put a lot of stock in having a "trans friendly" GP. "While this often means having a sensitive and caring approach, and addressing the person by their preferred gender, it also means being sensitive clinically and in terms of management, the receptionist and records processes." It points out that there are probably a few thousand trans people in New Zealand. "Therefore any individual GP or health professional, unless they are sought out for their experience in this area, are unlikely to have much knowledge about the health needs of trans people." It says primary care provides do not have t be experts in the field to meet the health needs of most trans patients, they just need understanding of basic trans issues and a little experience. "The overall aim of this resource is to enable health professionals to respond confidently and appropriately to trans people seeking their services," it reads. Specific guidelines include referring to the patient by their preferred name and pronoun, ensuring confidentiality especially when other family members are part of the same practice, offering fixed time appointments so trans patients don't have to wait in crowded waiting rooms and being aware that many trans people are sensitive to physical examinations prior to surgery. The comprehensive report is available here. Submissions are open until 21 February. A video-conference has been set up on Monday 14 February to get community feedback on the draft. This will be held in the Human Rights Commission's Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch offices from 3-5pm on Monday 14 February. The Commission can also phone in people from Dunedin and up to three more places. RSVP to jackb@hrc.co.nz by Friday 11 February if you are coming or want to be phoned in. Psychologist Daniel Eakins and counsellor Mani Mitchell are also organising a Wellington meeting in February for health professionals to discuss it. Health professionals wanting to attend the Wellington meeting can contact Mani Mitchell on mani.mitchell@xtra.co.nz.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 9th February 2011 - 11:50am