Health Board to meet the cost of Cork sex change operation

The Southern Health Board has confirmed that it is to meet the costs of one case for gender re-assignment surgery.

The sex-change operation is the first of its kind to be funded by the Board and came about after transsexual Diane Hughes from Macroom won a legal case against the Southern Health Board.

Patients who apply to the Health Board for such an operation are generally referred to a consultant psychiatrist for assessment before any funding is granted.

Applicants then apply under a special 'treatment abroad scheme', aimed at giving financial assistance towards the cost of the operation outside of the State.

The cost of the surgery ranges from £5,000 to £10,000.

Meanwhile, Diane Hughes has now lodged a complaint with the United Nations about the treatment of transsexuals in Ireland.