Wexford Pride Statement on National Gender Service Waitlist Closure

Wexford Pride condemns the National Gender Service (NGS) decision to close its waiting list to new referrals, with the service indicating this will take effect on 1 March 2026. This is an unacceptable escalation of an already dangerous situation for trans and gender-diverse people in Ireland.

Closing the door to new referrals does not “manage” demand, it abandons people and increases distress, risk, and inequality. Wexford Pride stands in solidarity with the Irish LGBTQIA+ organisations and trans-led groups who have been clear that this crisis is not only about staffing or space, but about a model of care that is not fit for purpose, and that has resulted in harmful experiences, poor communication, and loss of trust.

We echo the urgent calls made by other LGBTQIA+ groups for immediate and practical action.

We call on the Department of Health and the HSE to act immediately to ensure:

• No one is locked out of care

• The waiting list must remain open and pathways must be clear, fair and transparent. It is vital that a person-centred model of care is delivered as a priority through the National Clinical Programme for Gender Healthcare, with meaningful community participation and accountability

• Interim measures are put in place right now

• People requiring healthcare on the service can access timely, local, safe support while the new model is developed.

To all of our trans and gender diverse sibling across Wexford and the greater Ireland - You are not alone, and you are not the problem. The system is failing you.

Wexford Pride will continue to support trans-led advocacy, amplify community voices, and press for a healthcare system that treats trans people with the same urgency, respect, and standard of care as everyone else.

Signed,

Wexford Pride Committee 2025/26