Health Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2023

Tuesday, 28 March 2023

Ceisteanna (658)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

658. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has listened to and consulted with the trans community in relation to their healthcare needs and the provision of that care currently; if he will consider reviewing the National Gender Service in terms of international best practice and how it is currently working from the trans community’s perspective; if he will listen to the trans community’s call for an informed consent model that is led by GPs in local communities and respond accordingly; if he will consult with the trans community, in addition to consulting with medical professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14817/23]

Freagraí scríofa

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

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 2020, a steering committee was established to address specific issues in relation to the development of Transgender Identity 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.

The Minister for Health has met with TENI, the transgender representative body, to hear their views on service design and delivery.

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 representative groups.

I strongly believe that patients have a central role to play in the development of health policy and the reform of the health services. I am committed to engaging with transgender representative groups to hear their views on service design and delivery.