Employment inequality is still the norm in boardrooms across the globe, where men in suits continue to dominate both exec and non-exec roles. Yet new legislation in Norway has effectively addressed this imbalance, as Yvonne Roberts outlines in today's G2.

Full Story HERE

An update on the reform to the treatment system in Calderdale.
By Claire Eastwood

Just before Christmas Calderdale PCT offered everyone in Calderdale who is on Leeds GIC waiting list an immediate place with Richard Curtis.
Due to blatant obstruction by Leeds GIC of the reform of Calderdale’s treatment system it as taken until the middle of the February for the PCT to be able to contact potential patients.

The take up has been 5 and the PCT has now written to them making an offer. If all of them opt for treatment with Richard Curtis then the number on the waiting list is now zero. Leeds GIC refuses to engage in the reform process. This is the first time any PCT has eliminated a waiting list for gender treatment by actually treating everyone at once
rather than cooking the books. From this point on the waiting time is 18 weeks for new cases. Elsewhere in
Yorkshire the waiting time remains at 2 years with no option but to go to Leeds GIC. To recall, no one from W.Yorks as ever gone to Charing Cross or is likely to ever do so.

People who already are at Leeds GIC who live in Calderdale only who would like to transfer to Richard Curtis are permitted to do so with PCT funding. One such person has applied and the PCT are agreeable in principle to their funding this without recommencing treatment at the beginning.Those minded to do so can contact Gareth Dawson at the PCT at gareth.dawson@calderdale-pct.nhs.uk but please do CC a copy to Jonny Glenn at PALS mental health team at jonny.glenn@swyt.nhs.uk. Send your basic details, how long you have been at Leeds GIC, together with an indication of what surgeon you would prefer and what additional treatments you would like the PCT to fund. You after all have a choice
in these matters so use it.

Correspondence with the PCT is in the strictest confidence. Leeds GIC will not be contacted by the PCT without your expressed permission and you do not require the consent of the GIC to transfer away from them nor can they impose sanctions against you. Will the last person to leave Leeds GIC kindly remember to padlock the padded cell, I mean interview room, and post the key to Nottingham GIC.
Those opting to go to Transhealth and are on low incomes can apply to the PCT for grants to cover their travel costs.

It might reasonably appear that the emphasis on Transhealth is becoming a promotional for Dr Curtis. Our apology's for this being the current but wholly temporary situation. Reform had to start with a psychiatrist who especially wished to assist the reform process. Once the basics of the reformed system are in place, and that will be by August I
understand, then they will open this up to other quality providers chosen by the patient. That’s not a glib aspiration; choice in clinician’s is a central tenant of the new treatment regime. Once the PCT as ironed out the bugs to a new system, no one will be faced with the ultimatum of going to a PCT selected clinic or suffering denial of
treatment.

Because the reformed system is about a lot more than psychs and gender surgeons, some of the work in hand includes.
Broadening the range of treatments available
This is being implemented, for example facial hair removal for women is being funded at a clinic of the patient’s choice. For now it’s being run through exceptional cases and needs to be brought under the auspicious of Specialist Commissioning which is work in hand.
Through the involvement of Ben Thom we have brought Trans male requirements into the structure by emphasising that they need chest reconstruction at the start of the pathway and their preference for phalloplasty in Belgium. That isn't contested, the issue is going to be finding providers but they don’t have to be NHS.Post operative support network
Based on the precepts of the ‘Well Women’ movement. Care will be accessible by any transsexual person in Calderdale; it addresses any post operative issues at any point in their life. This goes beyond surgical complications to offer, for example an annual hormonal check.
This is a rational use of resources by, for instance, replacing a pointless offer of annual smear tests for MTF with a very relevant annual blood test for the analysis of hormonal levels. With acute hormonal issues being referred to Prof Orm at Leeds General, access to him is already in place. The PCT supports the principle and we need to
discuss how this concept will work.

The London LGBT Jobfair 2008

Wednesday 5 March from 11am to 5pm
Galleon Suite, Royal National Hotel, Bedford Way, London WC1

Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive of Stonewall will open The LGBT Jobfair at 11am on Wednesday 5 March at the Galleon Suite, Royal National Hotel, Bedford Way, just off Russell Square. Come along and support our community and the employers who are supporting us.

It’s looking great: there’ll be around 30 major employers and 6 community stands. Employers include, to date; Accenture; Allen & Overy LLP; Arberry Pink; Aon; Barclays plc; Barnardos; Clifford Chance; Crown Prosecution Service; Diversity Milkround; Enterprise rent-a-car; Environment Agency; Goldman Sachs; Greater London Authority;
Hertfordshire County Council; Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue; Hertfordshire Police; Kent County Council; Kent Police; London Development Agency; London Borough of Croydon; London Fire Brigade; Metropolitan Police Service; National Audit Office; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea; Royal Navy; Shepherds Bush Housing Group;
Transport for London;Transport for London – Public Carriage Office Authority.

Community stands - Schools Out; LGBT History Month; St John Ambulance; London LGB Switchboard; Broken Rainbow.

Alongside the stands. we are running 3 workshops: at 12.00 noon A presentation with Accenture - What is Business Consulting?; at 1.00 pm In-Depth CV Workshop with Sam Mansfield - bring your CV!; at 2.30 pm Dress for Success - empowerment for women at work.

There will be opportunities for everyone from the best of friendly employers who want you as you - whether you’re starting out, a graduate, mid-career, or looking for new directions. Everything is free! Registration is on the day – bring along your CV.

For more information check our website: http://lgbtjobfair.co.uk

For map see http://www.pfc.org.uk/node/1542

Jenny Roberts talks about her life and work
at a Free LGBT event in Wolverhampton

Wednesday 2nd April 2008
7.30 pm until 9pm
at the White Hart Public House, 66 Worcester St, Wolverhampton WV2 4LQ

Jenny Roberts, the founder of Libertas and the York lesbian Arts
Festival, will be talking about her extraordinary life as a transwoman,
self-identified lesbian and crime author, as well as reading her
favourite extracts from the Cameron McGill novels. This interesting,
entertaining and amusing evening will kick off with a great performance
by Dick the Harlequin.

Food, Toilets and Smoking Area with on-street parking nearby

This FREE event is presented by Wolverhampton Libraries and is open to
all adults. For more information please contact Jayne or Rebecca on
01902 552025 or go to:
http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/leisure_culture/libraries/information/events.htm

or check out www.jennyroberts.net

Norwich Woman Wins Funding For Op

A pre-op transsexual is looking forward to the start of her “new life” after health bosses finally confirmed they would fund her sex-change operation......

Sex Change Woman Wins Op