Psychiatric Assessment/Real Life Test
This is undertaken by Dr Deenesh Khoosal, Consultant Psychiatrist. Since 1994
over 450 patients have been assessed in Leicester . At present the 1998
Standards of Care produced by the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria
Association provide our guidelines. Patients accepted for a real life test
receive feminising hormones which are regulated using regular blood monitoring
and blood pressure estimations. Patients also undergo speech therapy. Each
patient’s progress is discussed at the 8- weekly multi-disciplinary Gender Panel
meeting. All patients are prospectively entered into Quality of Life studies.
Once a patient has successfully completed the real life test (2 positive
psychiatric assessments or 1 psychiatric and 1 psychological assessment are
necessary) the patient may be referred for a surgical consultation.
