Retired doctor says NSW Medical Council disapproved of his focus on trans patients
A leading Sydney endocrinologist who treated hundreds of trans patients has retired suddenly, accusing the NSW Medical Council of placing “unnecessary restrictions” on him.
Jonathan Hayes, who was based at St Leonards, accused the Council of “expressing disapproval regarding the increasing focus on my practice on transgender medicine”.
In a letter to Trans Health Australia, which was shared on social media, Hayes said the Council had placed conditions on his ongoing practice which he considered unreasonable.
“I have therefore decided to cease practicing, effective immediately,” he said in the letter.
“I believe in the work that I do and I am sure that I make a difference for my patients.
“I will prepare a progress report that you can take to your local doctor to assist with ongoing treatment.”
Hayes’ shock retirement may affect the healthcare of hundreds of trans people who saw him periodically to access hormone treatment. Hayes was reportedly one of the few endocrinologists who provided hormone implants for trans women.
According to a report by The Australian, the Council has denied Hayes’ claim that they placed conditions on his medical registration.
“The facts are (that) the NSW Medical Council is not in dispute with Dr Hayes,” a representative told The Australian.
“The council has never expressed disapproval or a view of a recognised medical sub-specialty, including transgender medicine.
“The council plays no regulatory role in the accreditation or otherwise of medical specialties.”
Trans Health Australia have said they’re working with Hayes to disseminate information so that his patients can get the same type of healthcare from other medical providers.
I do not care about personal opinions from conservative individual journalists, because I deeply care about LGBTI health and safety. In NSW and QLD to change your sex/gender on your own birth certificate, you still within 2019 have to legally have “sexual reassignment surgery”. To me as a non-binary individual person, this sounds demeaning, wrong, archaic and draconian. Time for the government to catch up immediately within both NSW and QLD! Queensland under Labor government for years only has one house of Parliament, you would think they would introduce a bill by now fixing this issue. In the NSW upper house with Latham, Nile and Co such bills are dead in the water unfortunately!