News media is an important source of data in how culture and discourse explain public opinion, particularly in shaping the publics view of healthcare experiences and outcomes for groups and individuals. This project will report on Irish news media coverage surrounding transgender healthcare in Ireland, pre and post publication of the UK Cass report findings published in April 2024. The Cass report was commissioned by NHS England “to make recommendations on the services provided to children and young people who are exploring their gender identity or experiencing gender incongruence” (Cass, 2024). An analysis of articles posted both physically and digitally by news outlets will look at how discourse surrounding the issue has changed and been formed by the reports findings. The transgender community are a marginalised group in terms of health, and it has been a polarizing issue worldwide, particularly the treatment of transgender children and young people, and whether treatments like puberty blockers and hormones are appropriate. In Ireland there is currently no service for transgender children seeking care, who previously relied on the UK’s Gender Identity and Development Service (GIDS), which periodically held a clinic in Dublin. The treatment of transgender adults is also lacking, with waiting lists of between 3 to 10 years for an appointment with the public service in Loughlinstown. The HSE is currently developing a National Clinical Programme, which will be both evidence and experience based (HSE, 2024). Therefore the results of the Cass report and its influence on public opinion and culture may influence how the treatment of young transgender people will look in Ireland in the future.
