The recent article about a convicted armed robber who has had a £20,000 sex change operation paid for by the NHS (Argus, October 19) reflects the uninformed assumptions still plaguing transsexual people.

While in no way condoning her crime, it is fair to point out Kelly Denise is the victim of a recognised medical condition. Research confirms transsexualism is not a lifestyle choice but a physical disparity between body and brain known as gender dysphoria. It is believed to occur before birth and cannot be "cured" in the sense of altering the structure of the area of the brain responsible for gender identity.

Kelly has undergone years of medical assessment and treatment to confirm her diagnosis. She has had to spend two years living totally in the female role, before being referred for surgery. This is extremely difficult for any transsexual person, but exceptionally so for anyone locked up in a male prison.

It is dangerous to make moral judgements about who should or should not receive medical treatment. The question of whether prisoners should receive the same medical treatment as any other NHS patient has been categorically answered by the Prison Service.

Those suffering from gender dysphoria cannot therefore be differentiated from patients with any other medical

condition.

-R. Turner, The Gender Trust, P0 Box 3192, Brighton