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Health Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (1673, 1710, 1711, 1712, 1713)

Bríd Smith

Question:

1673. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many trans persons are being forced abroad for surgery due to the lack of public healthcare surgery options in Ireland; his plans to replace the surgeon who provided public surgery for trans persons but who retired in 2020 leaving many with no option but to travel abroad; his plans to improve the poor level of health surgery aftercare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18610/21]

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Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

1710. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health when the multidisciplinary team will be in place as per the HSE Final Report of the Steering Committee on the Development of HSE Transgender Identity Services, February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18747/21]

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Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

1711. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the resources that have been made available to ensure that the HSE service development model of care is implemented and accessible to support transgender young persons to include the provision of appropriate mental health services at primary and specialist services in line with objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy to improve the physical and mental health of transgender young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18748/21]

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Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

1712. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if a policy has been developed to ensure all health programmes take account of young persons who have transitioned, for example, immunisation programmes such as HPV in line with WPATH or other appropriate professional transgender health guidelines and with objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy to improve the physical and mental health of transgender young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18749/21]

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Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

1713. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if clear guidelines have been furnished to health practitioners on referral pathways for transgender young persons and their families to specialised service in line with objective 13 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy improve the physical and mental health of transgender young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18750/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1673 and 1710 to 1713, inclusive, together.

The "Final Report of the Steering Committee on the Development of HSE Transgender Identity Services" was published by the HSE in December 2020.

There has been ongoing engagement by the National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead for Mental Health with the National Gender Service regarding the development of a seamless interface and integrated service.

I understand that the HSE is working on the further development of multidisciplinary gender care delivery in Ireland (including gender clinics) both in services for Children & Adolescents and for Adults. The National Gender Service (NGS) has submitted business cases for additional staff, with approval already provided for a number of posts (including Clinical and Admin posts) to begin addressing the waiting list and allow the NGS to offer a more diverse range of supports and interventions.

The HSE is also working on the establishment of a Child & Adolescent service, including the recruitment of a Consultant Psychiatrist with a special interest in Gender Identity as part of the model of care. I understand that CHI at Crumlin have advertised for a replacement Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist who will be part of the Team.

Considerable progress has been made in the establishment of a Clinical Governance Group in the National Gender Service, with membership composed of representatives from the Adult Endocrine and Mental Health Services and from the Children’s Endocrine Service. Further progress is underway to develop a Service User Forum for the NGS, with support provided by the HSE Head of Mental Health Engagement & Recovery in relation to service user involvement and representation.

The Department of Health is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed, patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.

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