The Professional Association for Trans Health Ireland (PATHI) warmly welcomes and celebrates the decision by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) at their Annual Delegate Conference, who voted 97% in favour, to advocate for the adoption of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care Version 8 (SOC8) as the foundation for the Irish model of care for transgender healthcare.
This landmark step by Ireland’s largest healthcare trade union demonstrates a powerful and progressive commitment to evidence-based, person-centred, and rights-affirming healthcare for trans people in Ireland. The WPATH SOC8 guidelines represent international best practice, grounded in the principles of respect, autonomy, and harm reduction. They recommend an informed consent model and support the provision of gender-affirming hormone therapy by primary care providers, which PATHI wholeheartedly champions. Their adoption would bring Ireland closer to a model of care that truly reflects the needs of trans people and aligns with global human rights standards.
PATHI commends the INMO, particularly the LGBTQIA+ Forum of the INMO, and Chairperson of the INMO LGBTQIA+ Forum and PATHI member Dr John Gilmore for their tireless work, leadership, and advocacy in achieving this significant outcome. Their dedication has been instrumental in moving Irish healthcare toward a more inclusive and affirming future.
Dr Gilmore shared, “For too long, TGD people in Ireland have faced unnecessary barriers and delays in accessing timely and appropriate healthcare. The WPATH Standards offer a holistic and flexible framework that respects individuals’ self-determination, supports informed decision-making, and reflects the diversity of TGD experiences.”
They continued, “As Chairperson of the INMO LGBTQIA+ Forum, I am proud of our union’s continued commitment to health equity and the inclusion of marginalised communities. This endorsement sends a clear message that TGD people in Ireland deserve dignity, respect, and access to care that affirms who they are.”
We urge the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to this call with urgency and a clear commitment to implementing meaningful change. Trans people in Ireland deserve safe, timely, accessible, equitable, culturally competent, and trauma-informed care and this vote marks a crucial step towards making that a reality.
PATHI stands ready to support the INMO in their lobbying efforts and to work collaboratively with all stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the trans community, to ensure the successful adoption and implementation of the WPATH SOC8 guidelines.
We remain resolutely committed to advocating for the rights of the trans community and ensuring that healthcare needs are met with the utmost dignity and respect, that should be afforded to all in our care.
For media enquiries or further comment, contact press@pathi.ie.