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We’re taking legal action against a hospital that refused a woman surgery purely because she is trans
Roberto Machado Noa / Getty Images
Case overview
Good Law Project is suing a hospital that refused to operate on a woman just because she’s trans.
In May 2025, Lisa* was booked in for surgery to have her testes removed due to chronic pain. But a week before the operation was going to take place, the hospital called to say the surgery was cancelled.
The hospital claimed they couldn’t operate because the surgery was classed as gender-affirming care. But surgery for pain has nothing to do with gender-affirming care, and refusing to treat someone just because of their gender identity is discrimination.
So we’re representing Lisa, and suing the hospital on the grounds of unlawful direct discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 based on gender reassignment.
*Lisa’s name has been changed to protect her anonymity.
Part of campaign:
Stop transphobia in the NHS
The health service is refusing trans people the care we all need, just because they’re trans – it’s time to defend an NHS for everyone