Thread by @forwardnotback

I remember when @UKLabour championed the cause of single sex wards in #NHS hospitals -it wasn’t controversial in the labour movement
But now, in 2020, we have a candidate in the #LabourLeadershipElection saying single sex spaces, as allowed in law, should be abolished

reporting of breaches to same-sex accommodation guidance became mandatory
The guidance said; “Providers of NHS-funded care are expected to have a zero-tolerance approach to mixed-sex accommodation, except where it is in the overall best interest of all patients affected”

Everyone agreed and there were financial penalties applied to to breaches

And so we ate clear the official guidance set out what single sex meant in terms of ‘mixed sex breaches

Two points jump out:
1: Patients should not normally have to share sleeping accommodation with members of the opposite sex.
2: Providers of NHS-funded care are expected to have a zero-tolerance approach to mixed-sex accommodation..,
Yep that says ZERO TOLERANCE

And guidance is regularly updated to keep it fresh however single sex accommodation is still an NHS priority and aim
But as always there is a BUT and I think this is a bloody big but

And it is great that the guidance covers all the issues
Annex B: Delivering same- sex accommodation for trans people and gender variant children

It starts with: “Transgender, or trans, is a broad, inclusive term referring to anyone whose personal experience of gender extends beyond the typical experiences of their assigned sex at birth.
It includes those who identify as non-binary”

Are you starting to worry ...

“And this a big statement: “Under the Equality Act 2010, individuals who have proposed, begun or completed reassignment of gender enjoy legal protection against discrimination....

“A trans person does not need to have had, or be planning, any medical gender reassignment treatment to be protected under the Equality Act: it is enough if they are undergoing a personal process of changing gender...”

“In addition, good practice requires that clinical responses be patient-centred, respectful and flexible towards all transgender people whether they live continuously or temporarily in a gender role that does not conform to their natal sex”

Do temporary Self ID is a thing!

Remember at the moment Self ID is not the LAW
But in this NHS guidance “temporary expression of identity could get you access to a female NHS facility”

So how do we know someone is Trans... the guidance helpfully tells us
“Trans people should be accommodated according to their presentation: the way they dress, and the name and pronouns they currently use”

So there you have - NHS guidance on single sex accommodation updated in September 2019
I think the NHS should be trailblazing and innovative and I believe like the rest of us Trans people should receive the best healthcare available - but I think this guidance is flawed

The guidance is here improvement.nhs.uk/documents/6005…