The Professional Association for Trans Health Ireland (PATHI) officially launched on Saturday, September 14, during the closing plenary of the TransCare conference which was funded by the Irish Research Council and hosted at University College Cork (UCC). The new multidisciplinary organisation has been established to represent, support and connect those working to strengthen the health, rights and wellbeing of trans and gender-diverse people across the island.

The association is made up of trans and cisgender professionals working across the fields of primary and allied health, law and policy, advocacy and community organising, and research and education. Speaking at the launch, mental health nurse and UCC lecturer Ryan Goulding shared: “PATHI is a pivotal step in achieving accessible, quality healthcare for all trans and gender diverse people in Ireland.

“As an all-island organisation of professional clinicians, researchers, and community advocates, we are positioned to promote care that is free, safe, timely, person-centred, accessible in community and primary care settings, and based on informed consent. In doing so, we envision a future where trans people can access knowledgeable and affirming care and professionals have support and resources to provide this care.”

Dr John Gilmore, Assistant Professor in Nursing & Health Systems at UCD, added: “Currently Ireland not only diverges from international standards in Transgender health in its very limited capacity; but also in terms of the model of care and services delivered. PATHI provides an opportunity to bring together a wide range of professionals to further develop and apply international best practice to the Irish health system, most importantly with Trans people & communities in a fully participatory way.”

Dr Beth McElrea, a GP, board member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and Clinical Lead for Trans Care in Iceland, was also present at the event, describing how groups like this can advance gender-affirming care.

“A professional association is an opportunity to bring together a membership of community and professional expertise with the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of our gender diverse communities,” she said.

“The PATH model provides a space for the provision of education, sharing of information, support of research, hosting of symposia and advocating for the safety and rights of our trans and non-binary people.”

For more information on PATHI or to apply for membership, email [email protected].