From House of Commons Hansard
Written Answers: 18th July 2007

Wales Office

18 July 2007 : Column 361W

Gender Identity Disorder

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Chief Executive of Health Commission Wales on the legal requirement to provide treatment for gender dysphoria and the implications for institutions providing services in England for Welsh patients; and if he will make a statement. [149527]

18 July 2007 : Column 362W

Mr. Hain: The responsibility for health in Wales has been devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government. I have regular discussions with the First Minister on a range of issues including the commissioning of services by the NHS in Wales.

It is a legal requirement for health bodies to ensure that they do not impose a ‘blanket ban’ on particular procedures or diagnoses without taking regard of the individual circumstances in each case. However, it is up to the local health boards in Wales to make decisions on setting local priorities for the commissioning and funding of services.

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