Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
1648. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the status of the recommendations made by the National Trans Healthcare Steering Committee in 2020; the progress on the provision of transgender healthcare in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34607/21]
View answerGovernment policy in relation to LGBTI+ citizens is set out in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy and the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy, which fall under the responsibility of the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth. Together these strategies play an important part in achieving the Government's broader commitment to continue to strive for the full inclusion of LGBTI+ people in Irish society. Actions relating to the health of LGBTI+ citizens fall to the Department of Health and the HSE.
The Department of Health is committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government. A proposed model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults has been developed by the HSE Quality Improvement Division. The model provides the framework for the development of National Gender Clinics and MDTs for children and adults.
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 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.
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.
