Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1795. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will seek to reinstate the under 18 years of age clinic in the National Gender Service which closed earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1847/22]
View answerThe HSE is committed to building services for the transgender community, in accordance with international best practice, across a number of programmes including mental health, acute hospitals, primary care and social inclusion. I am advised that a proposed model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults has been developed by the HSE Quality Improvement Division. The model recommends a comprehensive multidisciplinary psychosocial assessment prior to commencement of hormone therapy by endocrinology services, and also outlines the framework for the development of National Gender Clinics and MDTs for children and adults.
The HSE established a Steering Committee to address specific issues in relation to the development of Transgender Identity Services. The final report of the Committee was published in December 2020. The HSE has commenced implementation of a number of its recommendations.
HSE Mental Health have been working closely with Children Hospital Ireland, the National Gender Service, the Treatment Abroad Scheme and Tavistock to try to establish a child and adolescent transgender service in Ireland following repeated failed attempts to recruit a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist to develop the service.
I am advised by the HSE that the National Gender Service currently accepts referrals from 16 and 17 year olds. I understand that the role of Locum Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin has been advertised and it is hoped for the role to be filled early this year.
