Health service hoping to influence 'pathway' being developed by DHSC
Manx Care has been told that the transgender community is experiencing an 'overwhelmingly negative' response when seeking access to gender-affirming care.
Health officials invited representatives from the LGBTQ+ community, Kai and Amy, to present findings from a survey conducted over a 10-week period at this week's board meeting.
Amy revealed that some respondents felt they had no option but to go private or self-medicate by purchasing hormones from the dark web.
Work is underway to develop a new branch of the sexual health clinic as part of efforts to do more to support transgender people.
It will be called the 'Horizon Clinic'.
The health service estimates around 200 people are having difficulties gaining care with some shying away from making contact over fears of being misunderstood.
Senior health figures discussed where the Island is now and where they'd like to see it in future: