Sectioned to a single gender, mixed sex ward

[changer2010]

Yesterday I was sectioned to a supposedly female ward. There are two patients who are transwomen. I feel really vulnerable, but I’m scared of saying anything because this ward has better access than the other female ward, plus they presumably have the same problem. What can I do? After all I can’t discharge myself

It’s disgusting. I wonder if there’s anything we can do to apply pressure on your behalf?

This is completely unfair and you know it. Op has no real privacy or locks if she has been sectioned.

This is the sort of minimizing, safeguard disregarding, woman dismissing, reality denying shit that gender ideology thrives on.

Apparently this poster wants us to believe that males with serious mental mental health problems are less of risk than other males.

I thought the right to single sex spaces was in law? Seems to be a mental health inpatient unit would be precisely the type of place this would be most needed (alongside places like prisosns, DA shelters etc).

Do you have anyone who can advocate on your behalf.

I don’t understand the thinking behind a single gender unit and not a single sex
unit.

Couldn’t you use that same reasoning to justify them remaining in the male ward? If it’s such a small issue.

Has anyone alerted Emma Nicholson to this yet? She has the clout to do something about it.

There is no right to single sex spaces. The EA permits single sex facilities in some cases, it does not create a right to them, unfortunately.

A lot of hospital policy that I'm aware of in trying to be LGBTQ+ inclusive state that you are assigned to a ward based on the gender you identify with regardless of any gender reassignment treatment. So technically I could be sectioned state I identify as a man named Dave and be allocated to a male ward. However as devil's advocate, what would be the repercussions emotionally/psychologically and physically for the patients you mentioned being allocated to a ward for their birth gender? What about it makes you uncomfortable?

Thank you for this. Does the EA permit single gender spaces? Or is gender not covered. I’d love to know more about the legalities.

I think it might be helpful for you to read the EA.

So sorry to hear this, OP. I agree with others that (if you're up to it) you could write to PALS complaining and asking for the hospital's trans policy.

It might also be worth writing to Sex Matters who are interested on this issue.

Hope you feel better soon xx

I thought the NHS was obliged to provide single sex wards?

I don't think it's the equality act that means they're required but I thought it was still a requirement?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/NEW-Delivering_same_sex_accommodation_sep2019.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj93Zb4_puCAxU-VkEAHQFvAagQFnoECCQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2ppu4everxr3KfnD6kekOT

I think this is what the link above suggests, unless I've misinterpreted?

What about it makes you uncomfortable?

Why is there a female ward and a male ward in the first place? It's not because they wanted to put blue and pink paint on the walls, is it.

All of those risks, to safety and dignity, do not go away because a biologically male person says they are a woman.

Uncomfortable is not the word I would use, if I was locked in somewhere, against my will, with a biological male. Afraid. That's the word I would use.

Please do complain, can you contact the mental welfare commission or equivalent depending on where you are? If you're detained they should have a responsibility towards you as you cannot leave even if you are not happy to share a ward with males.

Could you tell the nurse you really don’t feel comfortable going into the lounge with the TW around?

This is one for the Baroness.

OP I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear this. I think that the trans ideologists are using women like you to serve the validation needs of (often vulnerable) men. It's abusive and the NHS should be caring for you not further traumatising you right now.

Gender is not a protected characteristic (gender reassignment is), and single gender provision is not mentioned in the EA.

The EA permits - but does not mandate- single sex provision. However separate NHS legislation does mandate single sex☆ sleeping accommodation. And for mental health inpatients, single sex day areas. Placing someone in mixed accommodation, apart from some specified exceptions such as ITU, is a reportable breach.

☆ However, there is a tricksy little section tacked on the end - Annex B - that makes the whole thing utterly meaningless by allowing trans patients to choose where they are placed.

Sorry you are in this situation. I totally disagree with mixed sex wards. Can you confide in any of the staff. It's good you have your own room, try to focus on your recovery, you're not alone 💐.

On checking, it is specifically 'women only', not 'single sex' day rooms that are required. https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/NEW-Delivering_same_sex_accommodation_sep2019.pdf

I'm so sorry to hear this, OP. It's absolutely appalling that you are in this situation, when you are vulnerable.

As others have suggested, PALS should advocate for you and may be able to help.

You could contact your MP, or councillors or Baroness Nicholson.

https://members.parliament.uk/member/1164/contact

In the meantime, please keep a record of how you are feeling and any incidents or events that affect that. This will make it easier when talking to PALS etc.

This law firm helps women with healthcare claims and has general info:

https://www.leighday.co.uk/faqs/medical-negligence-faqs/guide-to-medical-negligence-complaints-procedure/

Sorry to be pedantic, but there is no such "NHS legislation". There is NHS policy, but it has no legal force - the policy could change tomorrow.

I would complain. The Trust will have PALS and Complaints departments, info should be on their website. I would go straight to a complaint rather than PALS. Some mental health wards are mixed sex but you could request a move to a women only space.

OP, these organisations may also be able to help:

https://www.voiceability.org/about-advocacy/types-of-advocacy/independent-mental-health-advocacy-imha

• 'Advocates can support people who aredetained under the Mental Health Act (except under short term sections 4, 5, 135 and 136)
• conditionally discharged restricted patients
• subject to a Community Treatment Order
• subject to guardianship
• being considered for S57 or S58A treatment, or Electro-Convulsive Therapy

People can refer themselves or ask a professional to make the referral. How an advocate can help

• An advocate can support a person tounderstand their rights and options
• have their views and wishes heard in decisions about their care or treatment
• raise anything they are unhappy with relating to their care or treatment

When to speak to an advocate You can get help from an advocate at any time you want to during your treatment. If you don’t agree that you should be in hospital, it’s important to speak to an advocate as soon as you arrive. This is because there is sometimes a time limit for making an appeal. It depends on your section. Your advocate will tell you if this is the case for you.

• If you are unhappy about your treatment, an advocate can support you totell doctors what you want during ward rounds
• speak to staff about any worries or problems you have
• request leave if you are entitled to it
• appeal your section
• get a solicitor
• prepare for Mental Health Tribunals
• complain if you feel you are being treated badly

You can ask the hospital staff to contact an advocate for you, or contact us directly.

Mind info on advocay:

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/advocacy/finding-an-advocate/