As for the NHS definition of DSDs as 'A term used to cover a variety of different conditions where a person has sexual or reproductive anatomy that is outside of the definitions for male or female.’ -- that's not accurate! Most DSDs are not a matter of anatomical differences, but of endocrine disorders and genetically determined physiology, which is why they are not detectable at birth.
JFC. Who writes these policies? The health service that thinks humans can be non-binary? Whoever wrote it, I sincerely hope they are not medically qualified, because a thought that a medical professional could use such an inaccurate definition of DSDs is too depressing, and frankly, terrifying, even though I don’t live in Devon.
Responding to Graham's alert on 9th December ("This") I have objected to Bristol CCG's Equality Impact Assessment, following the Mumsnet thread and careful script, even though I don't live in Bristol - maybe one day I might fall ill in Bristol and I would not want to be scared witless by a trans-identifying man on the same ward. As a transwidow he would most certainly terrify me.
In the same way, I will object as instructed to the Devon CCG about their EIA. This document does seem to be slightly more aware of the dangers of mixing the sane and the insane. I agree with Sarah that the most egregious paragraph is the one she highlighted. But I have picked up a few more paragraphs. And I will point to the experience AND THE OBJECTIONS by the psychiatrists in Bristol!
It's all work. And we are the few who understand how important this work is.... aarrghhh! I'll do it.
The current (2018) Equalities Impact Assessment in respect of Transgender patients (male) for Devon CCG shows some awareness of the dangers of reconciling their needs with the needs of women, but a number of dubious assumptions remain. And the group most affected, which is WOMEN, have not been consulted. I would refer you to the Consultation which was carried out in Bristol CCG recently, where women were extensively consulted and a better policy document was produced as a result.
I have read the Devon policy and want to question and reject the instructions listed below:
"A transgender person should be admitted to an inpatient bedroom based on the gender they identify as" Why? The bedrooms are single-SEX not single-"gender".
"A person in early stages of transition should be accommodated wherever possible on the ward of the gender which they identify as". The NHS has instructions to accommodate patients on single-SEX wards, not single-"gender". Moreover "gender" is not definable. The sex of the patient is, on the other hand, easily observed with over 99% accuracy.
"A person previously open to services returns under their new identity – A new record is to be created with no link to the previous records held for the person in question. Any old records should be archived. Access to a previous record should only take place where consent is provided and documented". Does the CCG really want to jettison previous records so that a clinician treating this patient is not able to read them? This seems very dangerous for the patient. Most medical treatment depends on previous treatment. And there are many conditions for which different treatments and medicines are offered to the two SEXES (it seems unlikely that a UK clinician would make a mistake, but this has occurred in the US).
"There may be instances where the transgender person presenting for admission is not distinguishable from a non-transgender person of that gender. In these instances they should be treated according to their preferred gender, unless there are strong reasons against this." Such a event is vanishingly rare. Skeletal development as a result of sex hormones in puberty dictate height, shoulder-hip ratio, genital development, etc. Basically it is not possible to make a mistake, I hope, as a doctor. I do hope that I am right in this belief??
"Where a transgender woman is admitted and has a history of sex offending, decisions regarding risk should include consideration of whether they are being prescribed anti-libidinal medication that would be expected to reduce sexual risk." This is truly terrifying. This policy’s answer to the question ‘Should we ever place a convicted male rapist on a female ward?’ isn’t ‘of course not. Are you completely insane?’ but ‘Inclusion is a warm and fuzzy word isn't it, so let’s see what we can do…’ This is complete nonsense. This policy must be revised and made to protect WOMEN.
"Transphobic service users
There may be instances where another person using services, or a relative or carer is discriminatory towards a transgender or non-binary person, when both are receiving treatment and care within a service, such an in an inpatient setting.
Any risks should be managed sensitively. Everyone has a right to access services without fear of discrimination, so the perpetrator should be made aware of the impact of their behaviour. Enhanced observations should be used in these instances to aid management of the risk presented."
Can we please correct the language here? The "perpetrator" is the transgender person, the person who is perpetrating a deception by pretending to be of the opposite sex to the one that they actually are. There is no other interpretation of the text available to a sane reader. The person who objects to the presence of a transgender patient is probably objecting to the presence of a male person (biological male) in a WOMEN's single-SEX ward or single-SEX bedroom, which is completely her right.
Except in an emergency, the NHS must provide single-SEX, not single-"gender" wards and bedrooms, toilets and showers. This rule for single-SEX provision is there for the dignity, privacy and safety of women.
Please read the papers produced during the development of Bristol CCG's EIA in respect of Transgender patients. The questions which I have raised above are well covered, as are others.
See also: https://twitter.com/Sexnotgender_/status/1341447462062616583
Yes. Thank you, Alan. Your vigilence in these matters is fantastic, and I appreciate it. Thank you very, very much.
As for the NHS definition of DSDs as 'A term used to cover a variety of different conditions where a person has sexual or reproductive anatomy that is outside of the definitions for male or female.’ -- that's not accurate! Most DSDs are not a matter of anatomical differences, but of endocrine disorders and genetically determined physiology, which is why they are not detectable at birth.
Will this shit fest ever end!
JFC. Who writes these policies? The health service that thinks humans can be non-binary? Whoever wrote it, I sincerely hope they are not medically qualified, because a thought that a medical professional could use such an inaccurate definition of DSDs is too depressing, and frankly, terrifying, even though I don’t live in Devon.
Men who genuinely hate women, and their handmaidens.
Thank you, Sarah Smith.
Responding to Graham's alert on 9th December ("This") I have objected to Bristol CCG's Equality Impact Assessment, following the Mumsnet thread and careful script, even though I don't live in Bristol - maybe one day I might fall ill in Bristol and I would not want to be scared witless by a trans-identifying man on the same ward. As a transwidow he would most certainly terrify me.
In the same way, I will object as instructed to the Devon CCG about their EIA. This document does seem to be slightly more aware of the dangers of mixing the sane and the insane. I agree with Sarah that the most egregious paragraph is the one she highlighted. But I have picked up a few more paragraphs. And I will point to the experience AND THE OBJECTIONS by the psychiatrists in Bristol!
It's all work. And we are the few who understand how important this work is.... aarrghhh! I'll do it.
I have written to dpt.pals@nhs.net as follows:
Dear Sirs,
The current (2018) Equalities Impact Assessment in respect of Transgender patients (male) for Devon CCG shows some awareness of the dangers of reconciling their needs with the needs of women, but a number of dubious assumptions remain. And the group most affected, which is WOMEN, have not been consulted. I would refer you to the Consultation which was carried out in Bristol CCG recently, where women were extensively consulted and a better policy document was produced as a result.
I have read the Devon policy and want to question and reject the instructions listed below:
"A transgender person should be admitted to an inpatient bedroom based on the gender they identify as" Why? The bedrooms are single-SEX not single-"gender".
"A person in early stages of transition should be accommodated wherever possible on the ward of the gender which they identify as". The NHS has instructions to accommodate patients on single-SEX wards, not single-"gender". Moreover "gender" is not definable. The sex of the patient is, on the other hand, easily observed with over 99% accuracy.
"A person previously open to services returns under their new identity – A new record is to be created with no link to the previous records held for the person in question. Any old records should be archived. Access to a previous record should only take place where consent is provided and documented". Does the CCG really want to jettison previous records so that a clinician treating this patient is not able to read them? This seems very dangerous for the patient. Most medical treatment depends on previous treatment. And there are many conditions for which different treatments and medicines are offered to the two SEXES (it seems unlikely that a UK clinician would make a mistake, but this has occurred in the US).
"There may be instances where the transgender person presenting for admission is not distinguishable from a non-transgender person of that gender. In these instances they should be treated according to their preferred gender, unless there are strong reasons against this." Such a event is vanishingly rare. Skeletal development as a result of sex hormones in puberty dictate height, shoulder-hip ratio, genital development, etc. Basically it is not possible to make a mistake, I hope, as a doctor. I do hope that I am right in this belief??
"Where a transgender woman is admitted and has a history of sex offending, decisions regarding risk should include consideration of whether they are being prescribed anti-libidinal medication that would be expected to reduce sexual risk." This is truly terrifying. This policy’s answer to the question ‘Should we ever place a convicted male rapist on a female ward?’ isn’t ‘of course not. Are you completely insane?’ but ‘Inclusion is a warm and fuzzy word isn't it, so let’s see what we can do…’ This is complete nonsense. This policy must be revised and made to protect WOMEN.
"Transphobic service users
There may be instances where another person using services, or a relative or carer is discriminatory towards a transgender or non-binary person, when both are receiving treatment and care within a service, such an in an inpatient setting.
Any risks should be managed sensitively. Everyone has a right to access services without fear of discrimination, so the perpetrator should be made aware of the impact of their behaviour. Enhanced observations should be used in these instances to aid management of the risk presented."
Can we please correct the language here? The "perpetrator" is the transgender person, the person who is perpetrating a deception by pretending to be of the opposite sex to the one that they actually are. There is no other interpretation of the text available to a sane reader. The person who objects to the presence of a transgender patient is probably objecting to the presence of a male person (biological male) in a WOMEN's single-SEX ward or single-SEX bedroom, which is completely her right.
Except in an emergency, the NHS must provide single-SEX, not single-"gender" wards and bedrooms, toilets and showers. This rule for single-SEX provision is there for the dignity, privacy and safety of women.
Please read the papers produced during the development of Bristol CCG's EIA in respect of Transgender patients. The questions which I have raised above are well covered, as are others.
Thank you
Una-Jane Winfield
(Resident in Clifton, Bristol)
Thank you for being so tireless in approaching utter arseholes with no regard for women's human rights.
Who the actual fuck do these people think they are? How dare they?
No real surprise Devon Partnership NHS Trust hates women. Their massive underfunding issues makes this route much cheaper.