Labour vows to change Ireland’s status as worst European nation for trans healthcare

Labour will be introducing a motion tomorrow in the Dáil to improve trans and gender affirming care in Ireland.

In a statement, the party noted that the Gender Recognition Act was passed in 2015, when the party was last in government, but there have been scant improvements to Ireland’s trans healthcare system since then.

Labour TD and health spokesperson Marie Sherlock said, “trans healthcare in Ireland is consistently ranked as the worst in Europe, with over 2,000 people on a waiting list for healthcare. This is simply unacceptable and demands serious attention from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.”

“A decade on from the passage of the Gender Recognition Act in 2015, there is a need to change the current approach to trans healthcare in Ireland,” the Dublin Central TD said.

“While some of the problems with Irish trans healthcare are symptomatic of our health system in general, currently all trans healthcare services are delivered through the National Gender Service which is located in Dublin, creating delays and regional inequalities.”

“Stories from transgender people constantly highlight how Ireland’s flawed healthcare system is not working, this needs to change. Their voices must be listened to by government,” she said.

Sherlock said it is “worrying” that government commitments in respect of trans healthcare have “weakened.”

“In the current Programme for Government, the commitment on trans healthcare is far vaguer than it was in the prior 2020 Programme for Government, and removes the reference to WPATH and multi-disciplinary teams.”

On December 3rd, Labour will put down a motion in the Dáil to provide gender-affirming care in primary care settings with a focus on GP-led care.

“Ireland could be and should be in a position to provide a model of gender-affirming care in primary care settings, with a focus on GP-led care, based on informed consent as set out by the WPATH and WHO guidelines and international best practice,” Sherlock said.

“The Labour Party motion lays out the argument to enact a new National Clinical Programme for trans healthcare in Ireland, with integrated care pathways, recognising a key role for GPs and the major need for recruitment of specialists providing gender affirming care.

“Our motion calls on government to develop such a programme in collaboration with transgender people, with specific oversight for governance and training alongside ensuring trans healthcare is based on informed consent.

“I am hopeful that government will work with the Labour Party to deliver a service that is fit for purpose, and that government will confirm a new timeline for the introduction of the new clinical programme for trans healthcare.”