In written questions last week, Ian Mearns MP (Labour, Gateshead) asked the Government about the postcode lottery in Trans Healthcare. For those not in the know, this is a hot topic in the Trans community, with folk living in some areas such as Wales having been completely unable to access Trans-related healthcare. Earlier this month, the Government Equality Office’s own survey of the community identified health as the top priority.

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to ensure that no GP consortium shall refuse treatment to an individual diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

The response came from Tory MP Simon Burns, Minister of State for the Department of Health: (My emphasis)

Mr Simon Burns: The NHS Commissioning Board will take responsibility for specialised commissioning, including the commissioning of gender identity services. Each gender reassignment case must be considered individually, according to clinical need and local prioritisation.

In other words: Tough.