Transwoman on women's ward

[Sallycinnamum]

Had a minor gynae procedure today but nevertheless was very anxious leading up to it.

Was wheeled back to the day ward to be greeted quite literally (started waving at me) by a transwoman in the bed opposite me.

There was no doubt he was a man and being completely immobile due to a spinal anaesthetic with no underwear on I asked the nurse to completely close the curtains so he couldn't look directly at me.

Spoke to a nurse who confirmed it wasn't a mixed ward.

I am so upset. I felt so vulnerable especially as I couldn't walk so had to pee into a bedpan in clear earshot of him.

I've emailed PALS but I feel so bloody fed up of it all. Had a man next to me in the M&S lingerie changing rooms a few weeks ago and was made to feel like a total bigot when I complained to the staff.

Well apart from the fact that a man has no reason at all to be on a gynae ward, apart from getting all excited at the thought of being truly thought to be a woman! *

“ Ms Willoughby, I’m happy to call in a colleague for a second opinion, but I have looked very thoroughly and I am afraid there is absolutely no sign of a cervix at the top of your neo vagina.”

*( I expect they were hoping for a pyjama party and pillow fights after lights out)

Agree 💯

Not rtft, just until this response.

In this case, why tf was he on a gynae ward? It totally boggles the mind. There may have been some cloudy judgement from the NHS had he gotten a sex change op and that's why he was there, but even then the law is the law and single sex spaces should be adhered to.

And this is the concerning and worrying distinction for me. The fact that a trans-woman is on a female gynae ward. One reason for male and female gynae wards are separate is surely because it’s a different set up down there.
Why is there not a third space for trans? Again, this is an example of one group encroaching the safety and dignity of another protected group.
and both ought to be protected btw

If it is sooo difficult to tell if a person is male or female how come all the multiple shenanigans that went on in the large shared house I spent 4 years in not one single person getting down to it discovered that the person they had pulled wasn't the sex they they thought they would be?

How come when I told my Dr I had been trying for a baby for sometime with no success he knew to send my DH for sperm tests and me for an ovulation check? If it's all so impossible to tell anyone's sex surely the first thing the infertility clinic should have done was a chromosome test?

You mean an actual woman.

He was having an op on his leg, if that is relevant.

I'm OK, just a bit sore and fed up tbh.

The care I received from everyone today was exceptional. I guess I feel a bit let down by the unit sister as it was her decision of where to place him. But then she probably was going by the hospital's guidelines.

I'll report back when I hear from PALS.

I really hate the term cisgender

Have you read the OP's posts?

How do you know? Did you check?

Yes, please do update us. I wouldn’t be at all happy either. I’m sorry you experienced this when feeling vulnerable.

OMFG 🤣🤣🤣

Then they should know that a man doesn't belong on a gynae ward.

How are you so sure?

You say the patient couldn't move so I don't see what difference it would have made.

I'm not unsympathetic but the fear generally is that a transwoman may really be a man, still with his bits, who wants access to women, sex offenders for example; however if he couldn't move that situation wouldn't arise.

I was in hospital for over a week about six years ago and was in a mixed ward, there was a man in the bed opposite. Nothing happened to anyone, screens were pulled round for situations which involved being undressed, toilet, etc, nobody seemed to mind. I didn't even think about it at the time, I don't know if he did, he was quiet.

I couldn't move for 3hrs and read through bloody thread. He said he was male.

Me too.

I think it was the OP who was immobile, which maybe added to her feeling more vulnerable.

Hmm, what's more likely? The OP confused a female person who presents in a masculine way for a male person who presents in a feminine way and everyone played along to let the OP believe the person was a trans woman?

Or the person really was a trans woman?

It’s you again with the username I love 👋

No man should be on a gynae ward. They do not belong there. Infact no man should be on the female wards either. I don’t care who you are pretending to be, you aren’t and will never change sex. I’m sick of pretending we have to accept them.

@RowsOfFlowers They don’t need a third space. The staff on a mens ward are perfectly used to dealing with mens balls and cocks, and since most trans identifying men have steered away from the final sacrificial act that is what they will be presenting with. And even if they have their prostate will be still be available for examination.

Only men can be trans women.

Grow up.

I’m sorry OP. That sounds awful. Hope you make a swift recovery.

Was it a gynae ward? If trans patient has a vagina now and had to have a procedure involving it, not sure where you would put them as I don't think they have male only gynae wards. Bit of a conundrum.

I am fuming for you OP
make contact with Sex Matters/For Women Scotland. This needs to be nip in the butt