Trans woman loses legal battle for breast implants

A trans woman has lost her legal battle to have breast implants funded by the NHS.

The 59-year-old patient, known as C, challenged a decision by West Berkshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) not to provide the money but the Court of Appeal ruled today that the PCT was entitled to make the refusal.

C had received hormone treatment for breast growth since 1996 but had failed to grow breasts �appropriate� to her body size.

The PCT said it would not fund surgery carried out �purely for cosmetic reasons�

In May, the High Court ruled that the PCT was entitled to refuse funding for the treatment and today, three appeal judges backed the decision, Press Association reports.

C had argued that her emotional well-being was damaged by the refusal and that her human rights had been violated. She also claimed she was a victim of sex discrimination.

Her lawyer Stephanie Harrison said C thought of herself as a woman already but needed the surgery to become female �psychologically and physically�.