The London Gender Clinic: Press Release
May 2009
Defamation of the Transhealth Clinic
The Clinic has become aware that, in recent weeks, a number of discussion threads on transgender forums have denigrated both Dr Curtis personally, as well as the services at the Clinic. The postings are libellous in nature. They seek to influence others to discontinue their attendance at the clinic or to go elsewhere for their care from the outset.
The insinuations made are totally unfounded speculation, have no basis in fact whatsoever and include postings by people who have no direct experience of the Clinic. It is unacceptable that such individuals seek to damage the reputation of Transhealth or Dr Curtis.
The clinic is run by Dr Curtis who practises according to the highest ethical standards, having regard to the Harry Benjamin Guidelines and the General Medical Council standards. All patients are treated with courtesy and respect; treatment is flexible and patient-centered and is delivered safely. Information is provided so that decisions may be made, jointly, in light of properly informed consent.
Dr Curtis is one of the world's most experienced clinicians in this field, owing to the large number of patients for whom he cares. He is extremely knowledgeable about the issues involved in the care of gender variant patients. He spends a great deal of time studying administration of hormones, their benefits, risks and side-effects and provides comprehensive information about these to his patients. Unusually among clinicians practising in this field he personally observes the effects of hormone medication and the blood levels achieved. His service is unique in offering holistic treatment in which psychological consultations are combined with an excellent endocrinology service. Many other clinics around the world separate the psychological consultations from whatever endocrinology service they provide, and some provide no expertise in endocrinology at all.
Dr Curtis is on good terms with all the leading GRS surgeons around the world and regularly refers his patients for surgery, not only to UK surgeons, but also to those in the USA, Europe and the Far East. It is Dr Curtis's duty, as the referring clinician, to ensure that all candidates for surgery are given comprehensive information on the pros and cons of the various options for GRS, so that he can be satisfied that his patients are able to give properly informed consent.
Once that is achieved, and Dr Curtis is confident that patients understand the risks of surgery, he is happy to refer to whichever surgeon the patient chooses. This practice has been the case since the inception of the Clinic.
There are no favoured surgeons and Dr Curtis receives no 'referral fees' as some people seem to think.
The ethical standards that the Clinic applies to accepting patients for care are much more complex than can be summarised here. However, it is necessary to say that, not everyone who wishes to obtain hormones is a suitable candidate. An automatic 'say yes to everyone' policy would be substandard practice and not be in the best interests of every single patient. However, it is extremely rare that a patient would be unable to access treatment.
Some patients appear to resent the fact that the Clinic is a fee for service operation. This is unavoidable, as the substantial costs of running the Clinic, including rent and administration, must be met. There is an assumption that Dr Curtis profits greatly from the venture. This could not be further from the truth. During the first three years of operation, it has been a struggle to cover costs and make the Clinic financially viable. Dr Curtis' personal income, after paying all the Clinic's inevitable overheads, is about a third of what a GP earns. His hours of work are often greatly in excess of 50 hours per week; his hourly rate is considerably below that recommended by the British Medical Association for private work and a good deal less than the typical £300 + per visit charged by private doctors in the Harley Street area.
If patients who use the Clinic have a problem with the service, this can be addressed directly to Transhealth / Dr Curtis who will be more than happy to provide a response.
People who have no direct experience of Dr Curtis or the Clinic have made comments that are adverse - and potentially damaging. These inaccuracies have been disseminated via the internet and reported as though they are facts; this has had an adverse effect on the work of the clinic. If this clinic becomes unable to function, there will be no private provision for trans people in the UK and no choice in the manner of their treatment.
Dr Curtis is passionate about his work and has given heart and soul to making the Clinic the best that can be offered for Trans patients.