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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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8

Brit Transsexual Sues for Health Service Boob Job

Plaintiff claims refusing surgery is a violation of human rights

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(Newser) – A transsexual denied breast enlargement surgery by Britain's National Health Service is suing, claiming the denial violates her human rights. The plaintiff—who has undergone hormone treatment and lived as a woman for the last decade—says the surgery is essential to her identity as a woman.

Breast augmentation surgery is only given in very exceptional cases, and the lawsuit is costing money that should be spent on healing patients, argues the health authority's chief lawyer. "Public bodies which have to make rationing decisions face enormous difficulties," he told the Daily Telegraph. "Wherever you draw the line, there will be those who are disappointed."

Britain's National Health Service recognizes gender dysphoria as a medical condition.
Britain's National Health Service recognizes gender dysphoria as a medical condition.   (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
A British transsexual has gone to court after being denied breast augmentation surgery by the National Health Service.
A British transsexual has gone to court after being denied breast augmentation surgery by the National Health Service.   (©Kr. B.)
A transsexual is claiming that the National Health Service's denial of breast augmentation surgery is a violation of her human rights.
A transsexual is claiming that the National Health Service's denial of breast augmentation surgery is a violation of her human rights.   (©neoliminal)
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It would make the job of PCTs virtually impossible if their decisions were constantly attacked.
- David Lock, barrister for West Berkshire Primary Care Trust

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8 comments
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riffran
Oct 9, 09 3:14 AM CDT
"Public bodies which have to make rationing decisions face enormous difficulties"....hmmmm, does that mean health care get rationed over there?..........aside from that, at what point does something like that go from needed to elective, but not necessary.....admittedly the transgendered concept is difficult to deal with in general, due to ingrained morals , opinions, and practicality...a big perspective issue with no real clear path to follow Reply
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+1
MarkMcJackoff
Oct 9, 09 5:42 AM CDT
Sounds a perfectly reasonable claim to me. The NHS does have to ration health care especially when it comes to dealing with everyday treatments like chemo, heart surgery, renal dialysis, hip/knee replacement etc. But I was unaware of any line forming for elective surgery of this nature. More likely a shortage of DD saline implants. Reply
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+3
opheliaglass
Oct 9, 09 8:42 AM CDT
I have an a-cup. I do more than fine. She should pay for her own boobies if nature didn't give them to her, like the all other women who wish to enlarge their boobs. (even if nature also initially gave her a dick.) Reply
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+9
IN RESPONSE:
WallyEFunk
Oct 10, 09 2:49 AM CDT
Well said....3 thumbs
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0
Realist
Oct 9, 09 4:02 PM CDT
"...has not had a sex change operation, but has undergone hormone and other treatments to make her more feminine, the court heard." I wonder if perhaps the NHS would pay for an actual sex-change? Then this person could *maybe* justify asking for a bigger chest! Otherwise this is an abuse of the NHS/legal system! Reply
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