Welcoming the decision by Health Commission Wales to fund gender realignment surgery, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Minister Peter Black said:
"I have previously written to the Minister regarding Gender Realignment Treatment on behalf of a constituent suffering from Gender identity Disorder, asking the Minister to change the policy. She told me the policy was being reviewed in October 2007. It concerns me that Health Commission Wales has taken eighteen months to come to a conclusion."
"Health Commission Wales has taken a decision that will make a big difference to the lives of those who require surgery of this nature. The decision by an individual to take up surgery can be very traumatic and lead to a lot of personal and employment issues that has been exacerbated in the past by lack of funding. By deciding to bring funding for gender realignment into line with that for the rest of the UK, Health Commission Wales has taken a significant step forwards in helping patients cope with those issues."