AQW 19918/22-27

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Foyle

Tabled Date: 13/12/2024
Answered On Date: 07/01/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any support mechanisms that have been introduced to support transgender youth following the announcement of the permanent ban on puberty blockers.

Answer:

My Department has been working closely with the Belfast HSC Trust to address the issues of waiting times, resources, and to develop a new model of care for Gender Identity Services for transgender people living in NI.

I am committed to improving wider gender identity service provision for children, young people and adults in NI. This will require investment in gender identity services through a business case which is currently being considered. Despite the very challenging financial position facing my Department, I have advised my officials that I will prioritise the development of this service to ensure the appropriate advice and support is available to individuals and their families.

Support is available from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in each Health Trust and the Knowing our Identity (KOI) service as the Regional CAMHS Gender Service.

Furthermore, in recent discussion with the Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, England, I have secured agreement that children and young people in Northern Ireland will have equitable access to planned NHS clinical trials and the Knowing our Identity Services here will benefit from close working with the clinics in England regarding best practice learning and the provision of peer support.