Fears sale of Tasmanian hospital puts gender affirming care and womens health at risk

LGBTQ+ groups have raised concern about the sale of Hobart Private Hospital to Catholic Hospital Calvary and the discrimination that may arise, including gender affirming care, fertility treatments and women’s health care.

Equality Tasmania, Women’s Health Tasmania and Working It Out have written to the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to inquire into discrimination that may arise because of the sale.

In their joint letter to the Commissioner, they noted that gender affirming surgeries are currently only available at Hobart Private but not at Calvary.

‘If Calvary buys Hobart Private Hospital, the situation will worsen’

This means the sale could see an end to these life-saving procedures across the state.

” Currently, Calvary hospitals do not allow gender affirming surgeries for trans and gender diverse people,” their joint letter said.

“This is clearly a violation of the Anti-Discrimination Act. It denies a vital form of health care on the basis of gender identity.

“The violation of our Anti-Discrimination Act becomes even clearer when we consider Calvary’s attitudes to other forms of gender-affirming surgery.

“For example, we understand cisgender women are permitted to have the kind of breast augmentation surgeries denied to transgender women.

“It seems Calvary is fine with gender affirmation, so long as those being affirmed are not transgender. 

“If Calvary buys Hobart Private Hospital, the situation will worsen.”

The groups also say the sale will reduce access to fertility treatments, contraceptive surgeries and surgical terminations over 14 weeks.

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Calls for recommendations that reduce discrimination

“We believe Calvary’s refusal to allow gender affirming surgeries is already unlawful under Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act,” said Equality Tasmania spokesperson and clinical psychologist, Yalei Wilson.

“The problem will be exacerbated if and when Calvary takes over the only hospital actually providing this service.”

“We urge the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to conduct an inquiry that looks at local medical services for trans and gender diverse Tasmanians through the lens of the Anti-Discrimination Act, and makes recommendations that reduce discrimination.

“The availability of fertility treatments, contraceptive surgeries and surgical terminations is also of concern to many Tasmanians and may be reduced by Calvary’s purchase of Hobart Private.”

“Contraceptive and termination services can be gender-specific, meaning a reduction in those services could constitute discrimination against women or against men.”

All Tasmanians should be treated fairly and equally

“A reduction in those services could also potentially discriminate on the grounds of family responsibilities because it increases the possibility that couples will have more children than they planned for or can afford.” MX Wilson said.

“The Anti-Discrimination Commissioner’s perspective on all these issues is required to ensure all Tasmanians are treated fairly and equally.”