In this poster we present a novel human rights framework for supporting ethical and clinically appropriate treatment for people born with Variations in Sex Characteristics (VSC). This framework supports and enables a spirit of collaboration in the treatment for persons with VSC that is specific to Aotearoa/NZ. It incorporates Ti Tiriti O Waitangi, Human Rights, Clinician Best Practices and a Future Focus as the four key elements to delivering well informed healthcare.
Internationally, there is a move to introduce legislation to mandate specific treatment pathways for VSC, for example in the ACT in Australia the Variations in Sex Characteristics (Restricted Medical Treatment) Bill 2022. Legal avenues have been sought by VSC and human rights activists due to ongoing lack of trust that health professionals are willing to provide health care for those with a VSC that supports bodily autonomy and self-determination.
In Aotearoa/New Zealand a different approach has been forged via continued dialogue between those with lived experience and those working in health. The Ministry of Health is currently working on developing a model of care that privileges the knowledge of those with lived experience alongside that of the health professionals. There is a spirit of collaboration to bring about change that champions a human rights informed model of care. This involves updating best practice guidelines and education of health professionals/parents/patients and the public and development of resources including sustainable VSC peer lead support.
We as health care professionals in Aotearoa/NZ have the chance to demonstrate trustworthiness. The capacity to grow our self-understanding and acknowledge the need for providing a model of care that allows for self -determination and bodily autonomy to be highlighted while supporting beneficence and non-maleficence. We offer a frame work and some educational tools to support such a change.