Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1528. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 6 December 2023, if he is aware that the National Gender Service is actively advising GPs not to provide blood tests and prescribe hormone therapy to trans patients, which has led to GPs denying these essential gender-affirming medical services to their patients. [56669/23]
View answer1529. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 6 December 2023, if he will send a circular to GPs to clarify that GPs should provide blood tests and hormone therapy (details supplied). [56670/23]
View answer1530. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 6 December 2023, his views on whether in line with the WPATH SoC v8 statement (details supplied) that all GPs should be providing blood tests to trans people who are self-medicating. [56671/23]
View answer1531. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 6 December 2023, his views on whether there are no legal or medical obstacles preventing GPs from providing blood tests to their trans patients. [56672/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1528, 1529, 1530 and 1531 together.
GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold contract(s) with the HSE for the provision of health services, such as under the GMS scheme for the provision of health services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Clinical determinations are made by the GP concerned.
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 and will look at the whole patient journey including primary care.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
