Anne Health to fund healthcare for a portion of trans people after fundraising success
The medical group said it plans to fund memberships for several trans people. (Getty)
The medical group said it plans to fund memberships for several trans people. (Getty)
Anne Health says it plans to subsidise gender-affirming care for a portion of trans people in the UK after raising over £42,000.
The private medical group, which helps trans people access gender-affirming treatments such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), announced it would fund healthcare costs for a set of trans people facing “financial hardship” after raising the money over Christmas.
It invited UK-based individuals experiencing financial barriers in accessing treatment to apply for a funded membership, which will cover gender-affirming care costs for as “long as recipients need support”.
Memberships will include both fully and partially funded treatment plans, including subsidies for costs involved in accessing HRT, blood tests, and support. Eligibility criteria includes an assessment of financial circumstances, with priority given to those facing “the greatest barriers”.
“Gender-affirming care is lifesaving care,” Anne Health said in a statement. “For many, it offers relief from years of distress, improves mental health, supports physical wellbeing, and helps trans+ people participate in public life as their true selves.”
Funds were raised as part of the organisation’s CareForXmas campaign launched to “help make lifesaving, gender-affirming care accessible for trans+ people across the UK”.
As of Wednesday (7 January), the fundraiser raised over three times its original £15,000 target, reaching over £42,500.
“Every single donation mattered,” the organisation said. “Whether supporters gave £5 or shared the campaign with friends and followers, they helped break down barriers that prevent so many trans+ people from accessing the care they need.”
Trans people waiting 224 years for care
Accessing trans healthcare in the UK through the NHS is notoriously difficult for a combination of reasons. Underfunding, coupled with growing waiting lists, have left some waiting anywhere from three to a staggering 224 years for a first appointment.
This, coupled with the rising costs of private healthcare subscriptions, mean that a growing number of trans people are resorting to self-medication – accessing care without medical oversight.
Anne Health said the money raised would allow a portion of trans people to access care where they otherwise couldn’t.
The private medical group has previously addressed the financial barriers in accessing private healthcare, telling PinkNews in December that, while it believes trans healthcare should be freely accessible through the NHS, it’s “not going to happen any time soon”.
“The level of care that we offer and provide is really high, and therefore costs money,” co-director Lizzie Jordan said. “There are always people who want things cheaper, and there will always be people who want things to be free. And while we totally agree that this kind of care should be available free of charge, it’s not going to happen any time soon.”
Applications for Anne Health’s partially or fully subsidised memberships will open on 12 January at 19:00 GMT.
