Head of HSE gender healthcare to step down at end of year after drafting new model of care
The HSE's lead for gender healthcare is stepping down as Ireland debates the future model of care for transgender services. The discussion is split between informed-consent models and more restrictive approaches influenced by the UK's Cass report.
Why it matters
The outcome of this policy debate will significantly impact the accessibility and nature of gender-affirming healthcare for Irish citizens.
The Health Service Executive is to open a recruitment process for a new clinical lead for gender healthcare as its current lead, Karl Neff, who was appointed just two years ago, will leave later this year.
The pending departure comes at a time of an intense focus on what model of care Ireland’s new gender services will adopt.
It has emerged that Minister of State at the Department of Health Mary Butler has praised Iceland ’s gender-affirming healthcare model in private correspondence with the HSE chief executive.
Many transgender support groups and politicians say the HSE should allow an informed-consent or gender-affirming model to permit patients to choose the form of their treatment.
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