Researchers propose hub for transgender healthcare in NZ

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-04-28 00:01

New Zealand

PHOTO: Alexander Grey/Unsplash

Researchers are proposing a transgender healthcare "hub" to help the healthcare system adequately meet the needs of transgender people. The Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) has met with the Ministry of Health to discuss the proposal for the hub to provide national coordination of a distributed model of care, and to resource primary care and gender-affirming surgeries. They suggest the hub would also utilise peer health navigators, provide education and professional development, promote healing-focussed care, and incorporate transgender community leadership and accountability.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

PATHA vision for transgender healthcare under the 2022 health reforms

The healthcare system in New Zealand does not adequately meet the needs of transgender people, but the Ministry of Health has met with the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) to find ways to improve the system. PATHA proposes improvements to transgender healthcare, including the creation of a new transgender health resourcing hub that
operates under a Te Tiriti o Waitangi framework, provides national coordination of a distributed model of care, and actively works to resource primary care and gender-affirming surgeries. The proposed changes aim to make healthcare for transgender people more equitable, accessible and cohesive by utilising peer health navigators, education and professional development, healing- focussed care, and transgender community leadership and accountability to make healthcare more equitable, accessible and cohesive for transgender people. The aim is to take the best practices from existing regional programs and implement them throughout the entire country.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: University of Waikato, University of Auckland, University of Otago, Te Whatu Ora; Te Ngākau Kahukura; TKH Therapy; Invercargill Medical Centre; The 502 Rangatahi Ora; Wakefield Hospital;

Funder: N/A

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