TENI was proud to join with Labour Senator Annie Hoey in hosting an AV Room conversation in Leinster House with leading international experts in trans healthcare. International experts from Trans United from the Netherlands, and NHS Commissioned Indigo Gender Service in the UK presented to the room. Those in attendance included TDs and Senators, their staff, and representatives from civil society organisations. All were provided the opportunity to hear testimony from these experts and clinicians about how Trans Healthcare can be delivered within a primary care setting rather than a single national mental health led clinic.

Speaking after the event, Senator Annie Hoey said:

“It was great to be able to welcome leading primary healthcare experts from both the UK and Netherlands to support us in developing solutions to deliver truly inclusive trans healthcare. It’s also vital that the voices of trans and non-binary community members are heard and included as we look to change services here in Ireland”.

Tara Hewitt, Interim CEO at TENI said:

“Today’s event showcased practical solutions for safe, high quality trans healthcare within primary care settings.
We are calling for anyone involved in healthcare here in Ireland to look to the best practice showcased at today’s briefing from our European and UK partners to shape the future conversations around what trans healthcare can look like here.”

Meg Lightheart, Business Manager at Indigo Gender Service said:

“The evidence from Indigo and other regional services shows that supporting trans people using primary care expertise is extremely efficient at reducing waiting times in a cost effective way, whilst maintaining high quality care, as shown by our consistently high patient evaluations.

Indigo is a shared service between LGBT Foundation (UK’s leading LGBT health and wellbeing charity) and gtd healthcare (a primary and acute care non-profit).
A large part of our success is our deep roots in community co-production and accountability, led by the voluntary and community sector’s cultural competency, as well as how we employ trans and non-binary people at every level, from frontline support, to senior management all the way through to our Board co-chairs”.

Dr Camiel Welling, from the Trans United Clinic said:

“When public health services have an eye for the health needs of trans individuals, they are not just providing medical care; they are improving the ability of the community to participate and contribute meaningfully to society. By creating comprehensive public health services for trans individuals, we not only save
lives but also invest in a future with lower suicide rates, increased school completion, sustainable employment, reduced homelessness, and decreased instances of domestic violence, trauma, and discrimination, which translates into significant societal cost savings while fostering a more inclusive and equitable community for all”