Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1537. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the actions that are being taken by his Department to improve transgender health services in Ireland and in particular to address the waiting time for first-time appointments which currently stands at two and a half years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63515/21]
View answer1547. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a two and a half year waiting list for an initial assessment at the National Gender Service; the steps he is taking to address these long waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63567/21]
View answer1794. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the current two and a half year wait to access the National Gender Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1846/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1537, 1547 and 1794 together.
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Delta and Omicron variants.
At present the acute hospital system is prioritising unscheduled Covid-19 care and urgent time-sensitive work. The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
In addition, the Department of Health, the HSE and the NTPF are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund.
The PQ has been referred to the HSE for a specific response on the waiting list for the National Gender Service as a service delivery issue.
