The Cass Report has been reviewed by clinical experts within the HSE at the request of the Chief Clinical Officer and the review is currently under consideration by the HSE. The provision of proper, appropriate, and integrated gender healthcare services is something that I want to ensure is in place for those who are questioning their gender identity or are experiencing gender incongruence or dysphoria. As per the Programme for Government 2025, the Government is committed to ensuring a transgender healthcare service based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness, and compassion. A clinical programme for gender healthcare has been initiated by the HSE and an updated clinical model for gender healthcare services is being developed. The Clinical lead is in place and recruitment is ongoing for the rest of the multi-disciplinary team. Developing a Model of Care for Gender Healthcare Services is expected to be a complex process and the HSE and my department will work closely together to support the process, ensure transparency and keep the patient at the centre of the process. It is important that the HSE is given time to develop a Model of Care that is based on the best clinical evidence and that will deliver the best outcomes for persons with gender incongruence or dysphoria. It is not possible to pre-empt the outcome of this process by determining at this stage what this model of care will look like once developed. Regarding the HSE review of the Cass report, this was a specific and defined piece of work that was independent of the planned update of the HSE Clinical Model of Care for Gender Healthcare. It is the Model of Care, and not the HSE review of the Cass report, that will ultimately make recommendations on the delivery of gender healthcare services in the HSE, for both adults and young people.
