Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The HSE National Quality and Patient Safety Directorate has reviewed the interim Cass report and how it applies to clinical pathways in Ireland. Based on the recommendations of the report, the HSE has identified the need to develop 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.

The HSE is establishing a team to lead the development of an updated model of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria. As an initial step, the HSE has advertised for the post of a clinical lead for transgender services, who will develop the model of care and implementation plan for transgender care. The HSE will consult a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the new model of care, including those who use the services and advocacy groups.

WPATH publishes the standards of care and ethical guidelines, which articulate a professional consensus about the psychiatric, psychological, medical and surgical management of gender dysphoria. The guidelines are designed to help professionals to understand the parameters within which they may offer assistance to those with gender dysphoria conditions.

The HSE is also working to identify an alternative pathway for children and 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.

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

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