The moves follow decisions by several authorities not to fund gender reassignment surgery as part of priority setting, or rationing, exercises. The authority agreed to reconsider W's case after a High Court judge granted her leave to bring judicial review proceedings and ordered an expedited hearing. The judge had been told that W, who has lived as a woman for four years, suffered severe psychological trauma and became an alcoholic as a result of gender identity problems. She had become suicidal and had persistent thoughts of self mutilation.
Sex change comes into that category.
He had taken legal advice and after reviewing the case had decided it was an exceptional one which should be funded. Our decision doesn't change the policy. We are currently considering the processes we go through to establish what is or is not an exceptional case. Authorities have relented in at least four other cases where court action has been threatened or leave granted for judicial review, according to W's solicitor, Madeleine Rees, who specialises in taking legal action on behalf of transsexuals. In another case, where the surgery had been done privately after the health authority refused to pay, the transsexual was planning to sue to recover the cost.