NHS Blood donating form saying 'gender' not 'sex'

[VicSynix]

I've been a regular blood donor for over 30 years, but recently (since my consciouness was raised by the evil women of Mumsnet) I've become irritated by the fact that the donor form says 'gender' not 'sex'. Surely the NHS, of all places, should recognise how the importance of recording your actual biological sex, not your gender?

I've been tempted to cross it out on the form, and replace it with 'sex', but as I don't want to needlessly antagonise anyone who's about to stick big needles in me, I've instead sent a message via the Blood Doning website asking why they do this.

If there are any other blood donors out there who are also irritated about this, perhaps they could also ask what's going on.

Are there any other instances of the NHS saying 'gender' when they mean 'sex'?

Why would they have a higher level for males if it's not a risk? The female cut-off (125g/L) is below the normal adult male range (130-180g/L)

www.royalwolverhampton.nhs.uk/services/service-directory-a-z/pathology-services/departments/haematology/haematology-normal-adult-reference-ranges/

As ItsAllGoingToBeFine said

Haemaglobin levels are set for both males and females; there is a legal requirement that these must be met before a donation can be given. Donors who identify themselves as male will be assessed using the male haemoglobin levels and similarly donors identifying as female must have sufficiently high haemaglobin levels to meet the female levels

I have given blood many times but failed (as a male) a couple to times to reach the male threshold for haemoglobin. I asked the nurse if I self-identified as female would they take my donation they said yes.

Don’t know if this is the official guidance.

Yes, it is official guidelines. As explained on the webchat.
Also, if you self identify as a women you would not be able to donate as frequently as per the female guidelines because periods.

It's crazy.

I'm not sure I personally have an issue about the wording for my donor form. I gave blood irregularly until I got into a good routine (with an obliging employer) that ended up with me as a platelet and plasma donor for the last 4 years (now at my 98th donation plasma/platelet wise). Working in a healthcare organisation we are now changing signs on toilet doors to gender neutral with mixed symbols and logo's. It is a mine field to say the least. I know that whether it be my blood, platelets or plasma, the people who need it, (whatever gender or sex) will get it. We've ham strung our public bodies with all these challenges or gender neutrality and correctness - don't shoot the messenger as it's not the staff who need to be questioned on these decisions but the senior decision makers please.

Captain50 - I absolutely agree with you. Nothing to do with the staff on the ground, who do an amazing job, hence my contacting the decision makers via the Blood.co.uk. website. I will report back if they ever reply to me. My concern is what has been highlighted by many of the other posters - the absurdity that if a person identifies as the opposite sex, their blood is tested and recorded as coming from that sex, which seems to be potentially dangerous in a number of circumstances.

Working in a healthcare organisation we are now changing signs on toilet doors to gender neutral with mixed symbols and logo's

So mixed sex?
I do wonder how accessible the language and signs are in such cases.

Wow - just got this response from the Senior Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Suport Team:

We apologise, we are aware that the form does not appropriately capture the information necessary by asking for gender instead of sex. We are in the process of updating the forms. Unfortunately the incorrect terminology has been used.

Hurrah!

Well done!

You'd think the NHS would be sensible about this but hey ho.

Indeed mixed sex toilets is a yes - individual cubicle toilets i.e. one door straight into the loo works for gender neutral and the door symbols are quite interesting - you have the circle with the male and female symbols branching off - to be equitable to those who don't know or recognise that symbol, there's also the 'figures' - the traditional male, female and a figure made up of half of both - you then have to make that sign inclusive for accessible toilets and or baby changing as well - so, in the worse scenario you have five symbols (male, female, trans, baby and wheelchair) plus the text underneath that the toilet can be used by any gender ..... what will be more interesting is if we are ever expected to make multi cubicle toilets accessed from one door, also gender neutral i.e. walk through the main door, to find three cubicles all gender neutral - designers and planners will have a nightmare meeting any compliance or guidance standards - it could be the end of the urinal as we know it if you retro amend access to toilets and making them gender neutral. Think of all those shopping centres needing to be changed and re-designed for the future.

Excellent job Vic

We apologise, we are aware that the form does not appropriately capture the information necessary by asking for gender instead of sex. We are in the process of updating the forms. Unfortunately the incorrect terminology has been used.

Blimey

VicSynix

Brilliant work!