Sex change gynaecologist returns

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/norfolk/5333674.stm

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A gynaecologist who returned to work after a sex change says she is looking forward to "getting on with life."

Colin Bone, 60, who started work at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, Norfolk, in 1982, left in January and returned as Celia Macleod.

"I hope my patients will recognise that it doesn't matter whether I am wearing a suit and a bow tie or a skirt and a blouse," she said.

Miss Macleod is to work as a part-time consultant gynaecologist.

The hospital said the transition had been made with the backing of medical directors.

Miss Macleod, who has a 28-year-old son, has taken hormones and has undergone laser hair removal and voice coaching.

'Same person'

She said her decision to undergo gender reassignment should not affect her patients.

"I hope I will treat them with the same skill and same care and same courtesy and the same love because at heart I'm the same person," she said.

She also said she hoped that by bringing her experiences out into the open she might help others in a similar situation.

"With gender dysphoria young people will kill themselves sometimes because of the difficulties in facing who they are.

"And if there is anything about me being seen in the public eye, perhaps a young person can know that there is a way forward, then that is really good."

Deborah Taylor, clinical director for the Women and Children's Directorate at the hospital said: "It is great to see her back and it's great to see her looking so happy.

"It's been very difficult for Celia and her family and the trust board and management and all the team have been very supportive."