Mallorca trans clinic: closure call over hormone care

Mallorca: Ben Amics is calling for the closure of the gender identity clinic at Son Espases University Hospital in Palma, saying it obstructs trans people seeking hormone treatment. The Balearic LGBTI group made the call on Thursday, 1 October, after collecting accounts from people who had used the service. It says the clinic should offer voluntary support, but has instead become a barrier to care.

Form handed out at first visit

According to Ben Amics, people are given a consent form for hormone treatment at their first visit without further explanation. The form comes from the hospital’s endocrinology department and dates from 2010. It describes treatment risks and uses the term “gender identity disorders”, which the group says treats trans identity as an illness.

The group also says some patients have described taking personality tests and undergoing psychological assessments intended to identify possible mental health conditions. Its president, Tatiana Casado, argues that the clinic’s practices breach LGBTI law and the healthcare procedure for trans people.

Group seeks meeting with health officials

Ben Amics has requested a meeting with the Balearic Ministry of Health to set out its complaints and seek the clinic’s closure. It says people do not have to attend the gender identity clinic to get an endocrinology appointment.

The group says it can support people who want to begin a medical transition or have already started one. It also argues that trans people should be able to receive psychological care through the public health system on the same basis as anyone else, rather than being treated as though they have an illness.

Topics: Court cases · Health · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com