A 21-YEAR-OLD transgender man is “shocked” the NHS has refused to fund fertility treatment before his sex change.

Alex McCall, who is studying architecture at Newcastle University, said he was let down as he thought Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (BHCCG) would readily help.

If he has no funding, Mr McCall has to pay up to £5,000 for egg-freezing and then pay £500 annually to maintain them.

He said: “I was so shocked when BHCCG said funding isn’t available for transgender patients.

“Because I am studying at Newcastle, I went to ask Newcastle Gateshead CCG for help. My GP advised me to write a letter to them but they told me they won’t provide any funds for me.

“My sister Danielle suggested I come back to Brighton as it is a city that supports the LGBTQ community.

“In December, I spoke to BHCCG to ask if they offer funding to transgender men.

“Danielle then called them to follow up on the enquiry and a staff member told her they only help cis-gender people [whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth] with fertility treatment.

“I was confused because I have lived in Brighton and I came out here when I was 18.

“My family and friends, school and services in the city were accepting.

“I am 21 and I am a student, I can’t afford to pay thousands for the treatment. I think many other transgender people are experiencing the same thing as I am.

“I expected Brighton, out of all places, would offer help. I thought the NHS was designed to help everyone but they are being discriminatory. I feel really let down. I plan to campaign with my sister to raise awareness about the unfair treatment the transgender community experiences.”

Sister Danielle Cornish-Spencer, a Labour council candidate for Hanover and Elm Grove ward, said: “At first I didn’t believe it could be true.

“When Alex told me about the discrimination he was facing in Newcastle from the NHS, I assumed that he would be able to access support in Brighton.

“Unfortunately, this was far from true.

“I called BHCCG to double-check the situation.

“A staff member confirmed in a voicemail ‘we only offer fertility treatment for cis-gendered people’.

“She explained that transitioning was not on their fertility treatment criteria.

“However, on their website, they state ‘commissioning is about getting the best possible health outcomes for the local population.

“My brother and hundreds of others in the city have been left in limbo.

“He has to choose whether or not to transition and address his gender dysphoria, widely seen as a life-saving medical intervention as studies show almost half of young trans-people have attempted suicide.”

A BHCCG spokesman said: “We are currently maintaining our IVF policy in line with the approach of neighbouring CCGs.

“This approach was decided following research with local clinicians and patients across Kent, Surrey and Sussex on equality, legal advice on equality and the prevailing NICE guidance, with all issues raised taken into account by policy and decision making groups.

“We strive to ensure the services we commission for our local community are equal for everyone.

“We are committed to eliminating unlawful discrimination in all our activities, and are in the process of reviewing the policy.”