To ask the Minister of Health (i) for an update on the work of the Gender Identity Service Pathway Review Group; and (ii) whether his Department intends to publish the recommendations of the Review Group.

(i) In 2019, my Department asked the then Health and Social Care Board to undertake a review of gender identity services and bring forward proposals for a service model which is, safe, accessible, sustainable and meets my Department’s waiting times targets. The Gender Identity Service Pathway Review Group has produced their draft report and implementation plan and submitted it to my Department for consideration.

(ii) My officials are currently considering the Review Group’s draft report and implementation plan and they will shortly draft advice for my consideration. My final decision will be informed by a public consultation on the report including the Review Group’s recommendations along with other relevant documents, which will be published at that time.