Wheelchair-bound man loses NHS prescription for sex sessions after romps were deemed ‘not good use of taxpayers’ cash’

A WHEELCHAIR-BOUND man has lost his NHS prescription for sex sessions after the romps were deemed not to be a “good use of taxpayers’ cash”. 

Thomas Williams, 30, who has autism and cerebral palsy, requires 24-hour care, but for most of his adult life has felt the lack of an intimate relationship.

GettyMr Williams was granted £23 a week for sex therapy on the NHS as part of his personal health budget[/caption]

Despite being washed and dressed by carers on a daily basis, the 30-year-old believed there was something missing from his life. 

He said: “I’d become a medical pin-cushion.” 

In  October 2019, Mr Williams was granted £23 a week for sex therapy on the NHS as part of his personal health budget, The Times reports. 

The disability consultant from Lichfield, Staffordshire, had argued under the Human Rights Act that he had a right to explore his sexuality. 

He said: “There is a lot of stigma around being sexual and being disabled.

“I didn’t really see the interaction between boyfriend and girlfriend as something I could have.”

After being assessed by the NHS, healthcare professionals agreed the sex sessions could reduce Mr Williams pain and help his muscles relax. 

The funding is believed to be unique in the NHS. 

In April 2017, Williams contacted sex therapist Sue Newsome, 60, for personal sessions. 

After six sessions, Williams felt ready to undress and later explored self-pleasure and using sex toys. 

In 2018, Ms Newsome referred Williams to a “sexological bodyworker”.

A year later, Williams asked for money for the sex sessions as part of his healthcare budget prescribed by the NHS. 

With evidence from his GP, Williams’ request was granted by the CCG with a £255,000 package awarded for his health needs, included his 24-hour care and sex therapy. 

And in 2019, Williams lost his virginity in a “liberating” experience with surrogate Berverlee Lewis. 

Ms Lewis, from London, works exclusively with disabled clients, saying she  offers “companionship and sexual intimacy”.

She told The Times: “It’s really not all about sex. A lot of my clients want to cuddle and caress.” 

Together Ms Lewis and Williams trialled multiple positions and locations, including creating a “girlfriend experience” with dinner and hand-holding. 

Williams says the sex sessions boosted his moods and health, dramatically reducing his pain from previous surgeries “for up to four days”. 

But in April 2021, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) pulled the funding for Williams’ sessions, saying it was “not appropriate” under its updated policy. 

The new policy said funding could not be spent on “anything that would bring the CCG into disrepute”.

This latest decision has increased Williams’ anxiety.

The 30-year-old has since stopped eating and drinking, and spends days in bed. 

He said: “The NHS opened up a political can of worms by awarding me funding and they wanted to shut it quickly. But they have already set a precedent.”

In April this year, the Court of Protection ruled it would be lawful for carers to help an autistic man with a rare genetic disorder use a sex worker.

But the controversial decision is now being appealed by justice secretary Robert Buckland QC, whose lawyers compared the funding to a “moral minefield”. 

Williams plans to appeal against the NHS’ decision to remove his funding for sex. He said: “The money in itself isn’t what makes it legitimate. 

“But funding it as a medical need allowed me to see it in the same way as I would a surgical procedure or a tablet. It’s a medical need and a necessity.”