The treatment is worth tens of thousands of pounds.
The Filipino migrant underwent a gender reassignment procedure last year (Image: Getty)
A migrant reportedly received sex change surgery worth thousands on the NHS while applying to remain in the UK. The migrant entered Britain from the Philippines years ago as a man before undergoing the expensive gender reassignment surgery last year, which was backed by the health service.
However, the cost has sparked backlash in Parliament and the health service, as waiting lists for life-saving treatments pile up. Dr Renee Hoenderkamp, who works as a GP, said: “This shouldn’t be happening on the NHS. I have patients waiting for hip replacements, knee surgery — procedures they need to work and to get on with their lives.”
Robert Jenrick described the surgery as a ‘slap in the face’ (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Filipino had received free consultations and care at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital before being sent to a private Nuffield Health Parkside Hospital in partnership with the NHS in Wimbledon, reports The Sun.
Reform MP Robert Jenrick said: “It’s a slap in the face to millions of Brits on NHS waiting lists.”
Their pronouns have reportedly been changed from ‘Mr’ to ‘Miss’ on Home Office immigration papers following the surgery. They had also posted a picture online to announce they would be using a new name.
Treatment for gender dysphoria aims to help people live the way they want to, in their preferred gender identity or as non-binary.
According to the NHS, waiting times for referral and treatment are “currently long”. To be eligible for a referral for the surgery, patients must have socially transitioned to their preferred gender identity for at least a year.
The NHS confirmed on Thursday that, despite battling one of its busiest winters, it cut waiting lists to their lowest levels since February 2023.
Staff delivered a historic high of 18.4million treatments and operations in 2025, up from 18 million in 2024, and the waiting list dropped to 7.29 million.
However, the percentage of people waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment was still 61.5%, a slight decrease.
