NHS 111 online

[TransposersArePosers]

I had to use this service last night. They ask for the patient's sex. Great, I thought.

Then I saw the drop down statement of 'Why aren't there more options?' and inwardly groaned (given that we are all either male or female regardless of how we identify). But on reflection and having read what they have put under there I think the NHS have probably got this right.

The unseen subtext to the 'not everyone...' codicil at the bottom is "But whatever you say, we're going to need to know whether you have a male or female body, because treating you appropriately depends on us knowing that."

This really is the answer. 99% of the population, perfectly well aware of what sex they are and its not an issue.

If for what ever reason it happens to be a private or unusual issue for you, here is an alternative.

But yes: the Scots census discussions were evolving towards a recognition: your sex is and this has to be disclosed. Your gender is entirely your respected choice and is something entirely separate.

I bet the 111 operators love getting those calls.

What realistically can 111 do.

They still need to know surely

It just passing the buck surely.

Ultimately it's still the difference between Braxton hicks and appendicitis isn't it

The unseen subtext to the 'not everyone...' codicil at the bottom is "But whatever you say, we're going to need to know whether you have a male or female body, because treating you appropriately depends on us knowing that."

Exactly this.

It doesn't matter how an individual 'identifies', they are either male or female.

That comment is just a pandering to the people who will whine and complain and take up NHS time. The NHS know that people are either male or female and have male or female bodies. They're just anticipating contact from the special people who don't subscribe to the stereotypes and are no longer sure what that means for them.

It's a pragmatic solution.

It gives clear choice of Sex (not gender!) male or female, no 'assigned at birth' nonsense. The majority will click the appropriate option and continue. There's a chance that a trans person seeking a Darwin Award might click the wrong one but there's probably no realistic way to guard against that.

There is isn't any good way in an automated system to cover the various options which the remainder might want. People with intersex conditions or transitioned/transitioning trans people on hormone treatment might need to give a more individual response. So talking to a human is the best option.

I took it as the NHS acknowledging that in the vast majority of humans sex is fixed and either/or.

But rather than having a section of people upset about being excluded, or having to have a hugely long list of identities (which would still end up having to be split into male and female sexes) this keeps the form short and to the point without denying anyone's right to exist etc

I'm not sure what the call handlers are supposed to do if they do get a call from someone who doesn't see themselves as male or female. We all know which sex we are (whether we are happy with that or not) and I thought this was a reasonable compromise.

I agree - this is a vast improvement and has a practical option for the very, very rare intersexed person with ‘true hermaphroditism’ and those with specific mental health issues about their bio sex who will benefit from additional, tailored support.

Let’s just hope that time wasters who know their bio sex but don’t like admitting it are few and far between.

Hopefully the call handlers have a script or can pass the caller on to someone with special training. It may be that for quite a lot of common emergency conditions, sex isn't relevant and so they don't have to get into it in a live call, whereas on a form they need to gather information at the outset to get the most accurate assessment.

"Transgender patients have double the normal risk of PE and stroke due to hormone therapy"

Quite useful to know if a patient is breathless. (Not sure how this compares to the risk for women on the pill, Hrt or who are pregnant).