Speaking before the Oireachtas Health Committee, Chief Executive Officer of Sexual Health Centre Cork, Fiona Finn, called for a new approach to trans healthcare in Ireland based on a decentralised model and informed consent.<\/p>\n
The Oireachtas Health Committee<\/a> is tasked with scrutinising the work of the Department of Health and its agencies and examining health policy in order to plan for services and propose changes.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, May 6, several healthcare experts appeared before the committee, including Adam Shanley from Trinity College Dublin, Fiona Finn, Chief Executive Officer of Sexual Health Centre Cork, Muire O\u2019Farrell of Sexual Health Centre Cork and P\u00e1draig Burke, Communications Director of Gay Health Network.<\/p>\n Finn took the opportunity to speak about the state of trans healthcare in Ireland, which remains \u201csignificantly underdeveloped and overly centralised\u201d. According to a 2022 report published by Transgender Europe (TGEU), Ireland has the worst system for trans healthcare in Europe, with waiting lists exceeding 10 years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are clearly failing our trans community,\u201d Finn stated. \u201cMany must seek care abroad, or outside formal pathways, increasing inequality. At present, general practitioners are not adequately supported to provide gender-affirming care.\u201d<\/p>\n For years, activists in Ireland have been calling for a reform<\/a> of this model of care, advocating for a system that is based on informed consent, allowing trans people to access care through general practitioners rather than being funnelled into segregated clinics such as the National Gender Service (NGS).<\/p>\n As the Chief Executive Officer of Sexual Health Centre Cork<\/a>, Finn gave recommendations on how to improve Ireland\u2019s approach to trans healthcare. \u201cEnable trained GPs and clinics to initiate and monitor hormone therapy to improve access, reduce waiting times, and support a more equitable system,\u201d Finn said.<\/p>\n The healthcare expert also recommended moving to an informed-consent, patient-centred model of care, which should be informed by the real lived experiences and needs of the people these policies aim to serve.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.<\/p>\n Support GCN<\/p>\n GCN is a free, vital resource for Ireland\u2019s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.<\/p>\n GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity – Charity Number: 20034580<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n GCN relies on the generous support of the community and allies to sustain the crucial work that we do. Producing GCN is costly, and, in an industry which has been hugely impacted by rising costs, we need your support to help sustain and grow this vital resource.<\/p>\n