Healthcare Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 December 2023

Wednesday, 6 December 2023

Questions (186, 187, 188, 190, 191)

Paul Murphy

Question:

186. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he agrees that in line with WPATH best practices, services should have full and ongoing participation from trans and gender diverse people in relation to decisions about their health and that accordingly the trans community should have been included in the HSE workshop billed as “The Future of Transgender Care in Ireland” on 9 February 2023; if he will agree to meet with trans groups to attempt to rectify this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54111/23]

Paul Murphy

Question:

187. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how many applications were made for the role of clinical lead for transgender services. [54112/23]

Paul Murphy

Question:

188. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how the HSE intends to address the waiting times faced by those looking for trans healthcare; and the timeline for these actions. [54113/23]

Paul Murphy

Question:

190. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he agrees that instructing GPs to deny healthcare to trans people is putting their health at risk, and that the NGS should not interfere with the healthcare of people who are not their patients. [54115/23]

Paul Murphy

Question:

191. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Ireland is reported to have the worst transgender healthcare in the EU, given this information if he is concerned that a person (details supplied) has endorsed the National Gender Services as the “gold standard for how it should be done”. [54116/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Hildegarde Naughton)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 188, inclusive, 190 and 191 together.

The Government 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.  

The HSE National Quality and Patient Safety Directorate has reviewed the interim Cass report and how it applies to clinical pathways in Ireland. The Department welcomed this review of the interim Cass report, and has considered its implications. The Department also understands that based on the recommendations of this report, the HSE has identified the need to develop an updated and integrated Model of Care for transgender services in Ireland, informed by the best evidence-based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria. 

The HSE is establishing a team to lead the development an updated model of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria. As an initial step, the HSE has advertised for the post of Clinical Lead for Transgender Services, who will develop the Model of Care and Implementation Plan for Transgender Care. 

The HSE will consult with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the new model of care, including those who use the services and advocacy groups.

The HSE is also working to identify an alternative pathway for children/young people experiencing protracted waiting times. Discussions are under way with the paediatric endocrinology service at Children's Health Ireland and also with a psychology service to work on an interim solution until a full dedicated multidisciplinary service is established. In treating children and young people, any decision is a clinical matter for the treating clinician, their patient and family.

I welcome the development of a model of care which will deliver a high quality seamless and integrated service for people with gender identity issues, in line with the Programme for Government.

In relation to the clinical, service and operational matters, I have referred this PQ to the HSE for them to reply directly also. 

Question No. 187 answered with Question No. 186.

Question No. 188 answered with Question No. 186.