Within the report from GIRES, it is estimated that in 2007 the prevalence of people who had sought medical care for gender variance was 20 per 100,000 (i.e. 10,000 people in total). Of this total, it was estimated that 6,000 had undergone transition; 80% were assigned as boys at birth and 20% as girls. GIRES also references more recent data from the individual Gender Identity Clinics to anticipate that the gender balance may eventually become more equal.
Following publication of the draft toolkit in November 2019, the CCG received a number of representations from women’s groups and members of the public to suggest that the toolkit as currently written could have an adverse impact on women and girls.
The toolkit can help to educate health and care staff about the specific challenges this group faces; without undermining the need to respect, safeguard and care for all children. A U.S. study identified that socially transitioned transgender children (children presented and raised as their preferred gender) have better mental health outcomes therefore appropriate support is vital for their overall wellbeing and health. citing the US study before the correction showed that there is no improvement to mh or sometimes a deterioration.
This was supported by legal advice received “reliance on the exemptions under the Equality Act 2010 (EqA) will only be done in exceptional circumstances and does create a status quo going forward”. emphasising exceptional circumstances with the possible implication that single sex wards do not warrant exceptional circumstances (esp. when read in conjunction with NHS Delivering Same Sex Accommodation)
The statement “doing nothing or delaying treatment CAUSES HARM” should be removed. in reponse to clinicians representations that this is not true - a positive move! AND they reference Keira Bell's case directly (although not by name).
The toolkit currently states that “providing education to other service users in a ward to prevent ignorant or transphobic comments is, if successful, a better solution than having to protect or isolate the trans service user” – this reference should be removed. at least they are not going to 're-educate' us now...
The EHRC states “In UK law, ‘sex’ is understood as binary, with a person’s legal sex being determined by what is recorded on their birth certificate. A transgender person can change their legal gender by obtaining a GRC. A transgender person who does not have a GRC retains the sex recorded and is protected under the Equality Act as per their legal sex or under the protected characteristic ‘Disabled’ in some circumstances (impaired or limited ability to engage in certain tasks or actions, or to participate in typical daily activities). mixing sex and gender but generally correct re. non GRC sex comparator being birth sex I think? Interesting to consider why they mention the application of pc of Disabled specifically in relation to transgender people? If they were disabled surely the transgender element would be irrelevant - are they trying to argue that transgender creates some element of disability??
It acknowledges the concerns and needs of women (specifically mentioning older women and religious needs) and refers to the Delivering Same Sex Accommodation document which says this:
Providers of NHS-funded care are expected to have a zero-tolerance approach to mixed-sex accommodation, except where it is in the overall best interest of all patients affected. brilliant!!
until you get to this Annexe:
Trans people should be accommodated according to their presentation: the way they dress, and the name and pronouns they currently use.
no actual signs of transition need to be demonstrated and: all transgender people whether they live continuously or temporarily in a gender role that does not conform to their natal sex.
in the case of children, the child's preference of 'gender accommodation' takes precedence of that of the parents (aimed at older children) regardless of the child's Gillick competency
It should be borne in mind that many trans adolescents will continue, as adults, to experience a gender identity that is inconsistent with their natal sex appearance, so their current gender identity should be fully supported in terms of their accommodation and use of toilet and bathing facilities. and a final untruth to finish.
the document states that ALL breaches of same sex accommodation in inpatient wards and mental health wards/units MUST be recorded but they don't seem mention whether they view accommodating transgender patients on a single sex ward to be a breach so it may not be recorded.
Pt 18 seems to imply that accommodating transgender people in the ward of their choice will become a negotiation between them and the people on the ward as to whose needs get prioritised - I'm sure the hospital staff have loads of time spare to get into negotiations between patients - and what if a patient is too ill to advocate effectively for themselves? When I was in hospital for being ill I was unconscious for three days - do I get any say?