In September, The NHS released new guidelines on how hospitals can respect the privacy and dignity of all patients without breaching the same-sex accommodation guidance which became mandatory in April 2011. Inevitably, because the new guidance refers to meeting the needs of transgender patients there has been an outcry from the usual sources unsympathetic to the rights and needs of trans people. David Davies, the Conservative MP for Monmouth (not the former Brexit Secretary) is quoted in the Daily Telegraph of Wednesday 2nd October as saying, "This drives a wrecking ball through hard-fought-for rules and rights. Nobody wants to see transgender patients discriminated against - but placing physically male people in close proximity to vulnerable women who may be facing intimate medical procedures is not fair." In the same article, I was quoted as saying that the policy had "clearly thought through, and is sensible and encouraging." I also said, but they did not quote this bit, "It understands that the Equality Act (2010) protects trans people from discrimination and it recognises that the best person to consult over a patient’s gender identity is the patient themself. The importance of preserving privacy and dignity for patients is underlined and reiterates the tenet that 'good practice requires that clinical responses be patient-centred.’ Because of the binary nature of the provision it is difficult to meet adequately the needs of non-binary patients, but at least they have identified appropriate recommendations on how staff members should address this. Just as in any other situation, if a patient behaves in a way that is inappropriate and puts other patients at risk, then special arrangements may need to be made."
The Daily Mail online, did not seek a response from me, but repeated the Telegraph's quote. They also quoted Dr Nicola Williams of Fair Play For Women campaign group who told them that it was 'shocking' and means that women's 'privacy and dignity goes out the window'.
If you would like to read the guidance yourself and make your own judgements, you can read it here: Delivering_same_sex_accommodation_sep2019