Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1259. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health whether he or his Department have engaged with representatives from trans organisations in relation to concerns about the national gender service and the formulation of a new model of care; if so, to provide a list of organisations they have engaged with; and if not, whether he will commit to doing so. [11741/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I have met with stakeholders previously on the matter of transgender healthcare and I am happy to meet with these groups again, but ultimately these stakeholders need to talk to the people who are designing the Model of Care, which is the HSE.
As the Deputy may be aware, the HSE is developing an updated and integrated Model of Care for transgender services, informed by the best evidence-based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria.
In this regard, the HSE has recently appointed a Clinical Lead for the multi-disciplinary team that will develop the new Model of Care for transgender healthcare under the auspices of the National Clinical Programmes. My department has provided €100,000 funding for the establishment of this team.
A key part of the work will see the HSE consulting with a wide range of stakeholders including those who provide and use these services, and advocacy groups. There is a clear and well-established approach to the development of this model of care which will incorporate best available clinical evidence and incorporates input from healthcare professionals, patient advocates and those with lived experience.
I am happy to continue meeting with stakeholders on this matter, however, as I said, it is crucial that stakeholders engage fully with the HSE as it is they who are designing and developing this new Model of Care.
Below is a list of relevant groups that I / Minister Butler have met with since 2022:
|
Minister |
Year |
Groups |
|
Minister Stephen Donnelly |
2024 |
Member of the public |
|
Minister Stephen Donnelly |
2023 |
Belong To |
|
Minister Stephen Donnelly |
2023 |
Outhouse |
|
Minister Stephen Donnelly |
2023 |
Shoutout |
|
Minister Stephen Donnelly |
2023 |
LGBT Ireland |
|
Minister Stephen Donnelly |
2023 |
National LGBT Federation |
|
Minister Stephen Donnelly |
2023 |
TENI |
|
Minister Mary Butler |
2022 |
HSE |
|
Minister Mary Butler |
2022 |
LGBT Ireland |
|
Minister Mary Butler |
2022 |
Belong To |
|
Minister Mary Butler |
2022 |
LGBT Ireland |
|
Minister Mary Butler |
2022 |
TENI |
