Australian Doctor Advocates for GP Administered Transgender Healthcare

In an era where the discourse around transgender healthcare is gaining momentum, Dr. Tram Nguyen, co-head of the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) gender clinic in Australia, has made a case for general practitioners to administer hormone treatment to transgender children. This, she believes, should be part of standard healthcare services, eliminating the need for specialist hospital clinics.

Addressing a Growing Demand

Currently, the RCH's gender clinic, which has a waitlist stretching up to two years, prioritizes children in the youth forensic system, those in out-of-home care, and individuals from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The clinic is also increasing the capacity of doctors at Headspace clinics to provide gender affirmation services for individuals aged 12 and above.

In the meantime, a $45 million funding package designed to enhance services for transgender Victorians and reduce wait times is anticipated to be included in an upcoming state budget. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons has also made a plea to the federal health department for the establishment of Medicare items to reduce the costs of gender-affirming surgeries.

Proceeding with Caution

Despite these advancements, there is a sense of trepidation among psychologists and psychiatrists in Australia. They reference the scarcity of high-quality evidence and the irreversible impacts of hormonal and surgical treatments. These effects, they argue, have far-reaching implications on fertility, sexual function, and overall physical health.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has called for the exploration of diverse treatment options and screening for coexisting conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which are more prevalent among transgender individuals.

The Australian Psychological Society is also in the process of revising its guidelines, in light of these concerns. The society's current position has raised eyebrows among practitioners who work closely with transgender individuals.

Expanding Reach Beyond City Hospitals

Dr. Nguyen, testifying at an inquest into a suicide cluster, highlighted the urgent need for increased funding and capacity for gender-affirming services, not just within tertiary city hospitals, but also in regional and rural areas. Her call to action underscores the growing demand for transgender healthcare and the need for systemic changes to meet this demand.