Biological sex ‘must be respected’ in NHS, says Health Secretary
by Ella Pickover
Apr 30, 2024
4 minutes
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The term “woman” should not be “eradicated from our language in order to be inclusive and welcoming”, the Health Secretary has said as she announced plans to overhaul the NHS constitution to “ensure that biological sex is respected”.
Victoria Atkins said changes to the NHS Constitution will ensure language used in the health service is “clear” so that pregnant women are not referred to as “service users” to bolster inclusivity.
The Department of Health and Social Care said it is “defining sex as biological sex” with the new document, which underpins NHS care.
Proposed changes will also ensure hospital patients in have the right to request to be treated
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