Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1565. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he will outline what progress has been made in regard to access to hormone replacement therapy for trans people in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17247/23]
View answerIn 2020, a steering committee was established to address specific issues in relation to the development of transgender healthcare services. The committee had a wide range of stakeholders from the agencies involved in delivering care, as well as service user representatives, including a representative from TENI.
Further to the Cass Interim Report on the Tavistock Clinic, the HSE held an event recently with Dr Hillary Cass, which was attended by a wide range of stakeholders from the HSE, the Department of Health, Children’s Health Ireland, the Ireland East Hospital Group and others involved in providing services.
The HSE is committed to developing a seamless and integrated service for those with gender identity issues on an ongoing basis, with the support of all relevant stakeholders, and are focused on providing a high quality and safe service to an often extremely vulnerable patient group. Throughout this process, the HSE will be consulting with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the new model of care. Including those who provide and use these services, and advocacy groups.
The Minister for Health has met with the national gender service to hear it views and proposals for service design and delivery and I understand that the HSE chief clinical officer has also engaged with the service as part of the development of a new model of care.
I am 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.
