Lack of care for the transgendered

Transgendered persons are finding it difficult to seek help at the doctor’s office as they face insensitive and irrelevant questions about their sexuality, and are denied treatment.

According to CBC, Chase Ross, now legally a man, says he has routinely faced unnecessary questions that include his name change and genitals, as well as being refused psychiatric treatment.

Advocacy worker with Concordia University's Centre for Gender Advocacy, Gabrielle Bouchard says this is not uncommon. Many of the complaints she hears include medical professionals refusing to address a patient as the gender he or she identifies with.

Head of the Gender Variance Program at the Montreal Children's Hospital, Dr. Shuvo Ghosh agrees saying there is little sensitivity training for health care professionals when it comes to treating transgendered people.

He says this lack of care could lead to hospital emergency rooms overflowing with complaints that could have been prevented. And that medical professionals can help improve the situation by making their patients feel more comfortable and explaining the relevance behind their questions.

Ghosh adds that those who are denied service or made uncomfortable should send an official letter of complaint to the health care establishment.