Telegraph - Patient safety fears as NHS allows trans sex offenders in female-only wards

[OvaHere]

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/08/02/safety-fears-patients-nhs-allows-trans-sex-offenders-female/

archive.vn/cWKxb

Good but horrifying article about NHS guidelines that not only put women at risk but also champion the adoption of very draconian, punitive measures aimed at women and/or staff who raise concerns or complain.

I would suggest writing to Mr Javid as SoS for health.

@Melroses

Unless the patient is currently prisoner receiving care in an NHS facility, how are the NHS supposed to know of the existence of sexual offences or domestic violence offences offending in order to carry out any of these 'risk assessments' ?

If wards were strictly sex-segregated, they would not need to know. Not in the vast majority of cases.

This is just horrifying. Truly nightmarish.

And I have no words for what the article says about treatment potentially being withdrawn if a female patient speaks out…..surely this can’t be legal? I’m not a medic but surely patients don’t have treatment withheld for articulating any kind of viewpoint??

We can all recognise someone's gender identity, without pretending that they can change sex.

@LemonRoses Do you have any idea how much consultation took place before that change was made?

The Observer
Sun 30 Jul 2017

'Mixed-sex wards endanger and humiliate women'
by Catherine Bennett
"Even as gender-neutral spaces grow, hospitals show that in some areas men and women are best kept apart

(extract)
The unacceptability of mixed-sex wards has been a cherished theme for every opposition since Tony Blair alighted, in 1996, on what is still, universally, agreed to be a valid cause of public upset.

Mixed wards, he said “cause indignity, upset people”. Subsequent studies, including a 2008 examination of nurse and patient perspectives, confirmed he had not exaggerated. There were patients, it confirmed, of both sexes and of varied ages, who “experienced a lack of privacy, worried about bodily exposure and felt uncomfortable”. Nurses entirely sympathised. “Mixed-sex accommodation,” it concluded, “is an unacceptable solution to bed shortages.”

Moreover, investigations showed, objections go far beyond the allegedly trivial ones, according to more disinhibited patients, of commodes, Carry On! gowns, proximity to men who might resemble, to pick one or two names at random, the Pimlico Plumber and twat-detector Charlie Mullins or the BBC star and famed beauty connoisseur, John Inverdale.

Patients and their relatives attested to intrusion, exhibitionism and leering from nearby beds, even with staff around. In 2009, Channel 4 discovered that almost two-thirds of sexual assaults by patients in hospitals (21 out of 33 in 2007/8), occurred in mixed-sex wards. Variations on Blair’s question to an evasive John Major – “Is it beyond the collective wit of the government and the health administrators to deal with that problem?” – was a reliable line in opposition outrage until Jeremy Hunt declared in 2014 that this indignity was “nearly”, or “virtually”, history.

Regulations introduced by the coalition government in 2010 compelled hospital trusts to report their figures for mixed-ward occupation, then fined them £250 per night for breaches. “We want to see the end of mixed-sex wards,” Nick Clegg said. “Everybody knows this has got to end.” As recently as his 2015 conference speech, a key part of Hunt’s claims to representing “the party of the NHS” was the unqualified triumph: “mixed sex wards eliminated”
(continues)

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/30/mixed-sexed-wards-endanger-and-humiliate-women

‘Trans people should feel safe in hospital’

Dr Jane Hamlin, president of the Beaumont Society, a trans support group, said: “If anyone starts off with an assumption that a trans person is a sex offender - or even a potential sex offender - that is discrimination and transphobia. All patients, including trans people, should feel safe when in hospital.”

The article is specifically about male born sex offenders. Why this comment was added is beyond me. Rage inducing!

mobile.twitter.com/WomenReadWomen/status/1422360895192141826

And here is 'Jane'

@R0wantrees 👏 you're more useful than Google

two thirds of sexual assaults by patients in hospitals happened mixed sex wards. Ruth Hunt shrugged as she rolled out the 'equality' index across the land and in hospital wards and said 'Men rape'.

The article is specifically about male born sex offenders

Quite

@TalkingOutYerArse

mobile.twitter.com/WomenReadWomen/status/1422360895192141826

And here is 'Jane'

FFS

[quote R0wantrees]The Observer
Sun 30 Jul 2017

'Mixed-sex wards endanger and humiliate women'
by Catherine Bennett
"Even as gender-neutral spaces grow, hospitals show that in some areas men and women are best kept apart

(extract)
The unacceptability of mixed-sex wards has been a cherished theme for every opposition since Tony Blair alighted, in 1996, on what is still, universally, agreed to be a valid cause of public upset.

Mixed wards, he said “cause indignity, upset people”. Subsequent studies, including a 2008 examination of nurse and patient perspectives, confirmed he had not exaggerated. There were patients, it confirmed, of both sexes and of varied ages, who “experienced a lack of privacy, worried about bodily exposure and felt uncomfortable”. Nurses entirely sympathised. “Mixed-sex accommodation,” it concluded, “is an unacceptable solution to bed shortages.”

Moreover, investigations showed, objections go far beyond the allegedly trivial ones, according to more disinhibited patients, of commodes, Carry On! gowns, proximity to men who might resemble, to pick one or two names at random, the Pimlico Plumber and twat-detector Charlie Mullins or the BBC star and famed beauty connoisseur, John Inverdale.

Patients and their relatives attested to intrusion, exhibitionism and leering from nearby beds, even with staff around. In 2009, Channel 4 discovered that almost two-thirds of sexual assaults by patients in hospitals (21 out of 33 in 2007/8), occurred in mixed-sex wards. Variations on Blair’s question to an evasive John Major – “Is it beyond the collective wit of the government and the health administrators to deal with that problem?” – was a reliable line in opposition outrage until Jeremy Hunt declared in 2014 that this indignity was “nearly”, or “virtually”, history.

Regulations introduced by the coalition government in 2010 compelled hospital trusts to report their figures for mixed-ward occupation, then fined them £250 per night for breaches. “We want to see the end of mixed-sex wards,” Nick Clegg said. “Everybody knows this has got to end.” As recently as his 2015 conference speech, a key part of Hunt’s claims to representing “the party of the NHS” was the unqualified triumph: “mixed sex wards eliminated”
(continues)

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/30/mixed-sexed-wards-endanger-and-humiliate-women[/quote]
Very interesting - thank you.

Telegraph
(extract)
"Dr Jane Hamlin, president of the Beaumont Society, a trans support group, said: “If anyone starts off with an assumption that a trans person is a sex offender - or even a potential sex offender - that is discrimination and transphobia. All patients, including trans people, should feel safe when in hospital.
“Clearly, if any patient has a history of violence, however they identify, then special arrangements might have to be made for them. But to assume that a trans woman could be a danger to other patients because she has not fully transitioned is outrageous." (continues)
<a class="break-all" href="https://archive.vn/2021.08.02-215254/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/08/02/safety-fears-patients-nhs-allows-trans-sex-offenders-female/#selection-1443.0-1447.255" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">archive.vn/2021.08.02-215254/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/08/02/safety-fears-patients-nhs-allows-trans-sex-offenders-female/#selection-1443.0-1447.255

The Beaumont Society, 'Our History'
"Originally founded in 1966, the society originally started as a UK Chapter of the secret American organisation “Full Personality Expression” (FPE)...

From those early roots, the UK Chapter eventually became the Beaumont Society, taking the name of the Chevalier d’Eon de Beaumont. Originally, all members had to be sponsored by an existing member and had to be vetted before being accepted – but this is no longer the case.

Traditionally regarded as a secret MTF group for cross-dressers, the society has significantly evolved since these humble beginnings. It’s now open to any section of the transgender community who would like to join, MTF, FTM, bi or non gendered – even wives and partners" (continues)
www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/our-history.html

(embedded link from above)
'A history of the Beaumont Society'
by Alice L100
(extract)
"Initially there were four of us who were members of Virginia Prince's organisation Phi Pi Epsilon (standing for Full Personality Expression) based in the States which supplied a Journal called 'Transvestia' who were from the British Isles.
A European Chapter of FPE formed, which gradually subdivided into the UK based Beaumont Society (named after the Chevalier D'Eon de Beaumont), ABC in France and the Scandinavian Groups of FPE North Europe. Giselle was an American FPE Member living in Europe, and Alga and Sylvia were her deputies in FPE Europe.
The Beaumont Society was founded as a branch of FPE. It was a secret Society based in California. Its purpose was

1. To provide information and education to the general public, the medical and legal professions on transvestism and to encourage research aimed at fuller understanding.
2. To provide TV's with an opportunity for a social life together

Giselle, Alga and Sylvia were all in the UK in the summer of 1965 so they met up to get the thing started." (continues)

www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/documents/Beaumont_History.pdf

As recently as his 2015 conference speech, a key part of Hunt’s claims to representing “the party of the NHS” was the unqualified triumph: “mixed sex wards eliminated”

Previous thread, OP Barracker wrote Tue 16-Oct-18,

"We've been lied to about 'Single SEX' wards since 2010.
medium.com/@anneharperwright/sex-gender-the-nhs-1e8f4e6363a6

They were ALWAYS based upon 'gender'.
The evidence is in NHS documents from 2010.
And the Department of Health were told, by the NHS team, not to tell people wards were segregated by sex, because they knew the policy was based on gender.

But the DOH purposefully used the word sex to the public instead.

We've been deliberately misled."

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3396859-Weve-been-lied-to-about-Single-SEX-wards-since-2010

[quote lottiegarbanzo]@LemonRoses Do you have any idea how much consultation took place before that change was made?[/quote]
I am not aware of any public consultation- but there wouldn’t need to be in law. There isn’t a requirement under NHS Act, as not an NHS body or commissioning organisation. Trusts changed policy in line with national guidance- so consultation not required because it was a legal requirement. Bit of a catch 22.

Even the Public sector equality duty (PSED which applies when the NHS is exercising any of its functions or where an NHS body is proposing policy changes that will have an effect on a large number of patients who are in groups which have a “protected characteristic”.
NHS bodies needs only to have “due regard” to the need to:
o Remove or minimise the disadvantage suffered by persons who share relevant protected characteristics (such as race, age, disability, or sexual orientation)
o Take steps to meet the needs of those who share such characteristics
o Encourage participation of those who share such characteristics

Importantly, the public body does not have to achieve these needs. This might be nigh on impossible given the competing pressures. The weight to be given to countervailing factors is a matter for the public body and not a court unless the assessment is unreasonable or irrational.

Some areas are excluded from a need to consider mixed sex/gender breaches. Unfortunately, they are the very areas where tensions run the highest or where privacy and dignity is most likely to be compromised.

Emergency departments, clinical decision units, children’s wards, theatre recovery areas, intensive care units.
In fairness, I’ve never seen privacy/dignity compromised in an intensive care setting.
Psychiatric units are supposed to have single bedrooms and single sex communal spaces - but the guidance would allow trans women in the communal spaces and therefore offer easy access to sleeping and bathing facilities.

Dr Jane Hamlin, president of the Beaumont Society, a trans support group, said: “If anyone starts off with an assumption that a trans person is a sex offender - or even a potential sex offender - that is discrimination and transphobia.

from link above,

'How I learnt to accept that my husband is now a woman called Jane'
By Daily Mail'
published Nov 27, 2019

(extract)
"Most marriages hit a few bumps. But 72-year-old Barbara Hamlin's has weathered one of the most challenging upheavals.

Five years ago, her husband John had gender reassignment surgery to become Jane, no 71.

Here, he couple from Somerset, UK, explain how they maintained their relationship...
A denim mini skirt, hotpants, a collection of women’s lacy lingerie and a pair of black patent stilettos. My head was spinning as I rummaged through the bag I’d found at the back of our wardrobe. (continues)

Our married life was blissful before John’s revelation.
Both primary school teachers in Somerset, we had met at work, and got together after he split up with his wife, the mother of his son and daughter. Then 40, I had split from my own first husband two years before.
John and I never wanted a family of our own, because John already had children and I had never had a strong maternal instinct.
Looking back, the only possible clue to John’s future self was the fact that he always had clean, neatly manicured nails. He was happy to go shopping for clothes with me, but that never struck me as unusual.
I could see why he hadn’t felt able to tell me; if he had mentioned all this before we got together, I don’t think I would have pursued the relationship." (continues)
archive.is/GEJuj#selection-1711.0-1727.153

H/t Genevieve Gluck mobile.twitter.com/WomenReadWomen

Psychiatric units are supposed to have single bedrooms and single sex communal spaces - but the guidance would allow trans women in the communal spaces and therefore offer easy access to sleeping and bathing facilities.

Lancaster Guardian
18th January 2018,

'Lancaster mum with 'fear of men' locked on hospital ward with transgender patient'
(extract)
"A Lancaster mum whose bi-polar disorder left her believing men were conspiring to kill her said she was left terrified when she was locked on a women's psychiatric ward with an 'extremely male-bodied' transgender patient.

Philippa Molloy, 42, said she was “genuinely, absolutely terrified” because she had suffered a relapse in her condition that made her irrationally terrified of men – including her own husband.

When she raised her concerns with hospital staff, however, she said she was not taken seriously and her medical notes implied that she was a “transphobic bigot”.

She said the NHS had failed to think through the implications of allowing patients to self-identify their gender." (continues)

“Part of my psychosis was that I was convinced I was being followed by men’s rights activists,” she said. “It sounds ridiculous, but that was it.

“They wanted to kill me, they were going to come after me...and my husband was involved in everything.

Philippa Molloy.
Philippa Molloy.
“Because of that I was taken and placed in a female-only unit.”

She describes herself as a feminist who had previously campaigned against the closure of a women-only unit at The Orchard mental health unit in Lancaster.

She said: “If you erroneously believe that there are men wanting to infiltrate your life in order to kill you and that is on your notes and that is why you are in a female unit and you suddenly discover a male-bodied person in a six-bed bay...I was terrified. Genuinely. Absolutely.” (continues)

www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/lancaster-mum-fear-men-locked-hospital-ward-transgender-patient-653048

Dr Jane Hamlin, president of the Beaumont Society, a trans support group, said: “If anyone starts off with an assumption that a trans person is a sex offender - or even a potential sex offender - that is discrimination and transphobia.

Evidence that anyone is starting off with that assumption?

Given the overwhelming evidence, we have to start off with the assumption that any MALE may be a sex offender - or even a potential sex offender. Is that discrimination and androphobia?

When it comes to males in women's spaces, I don't care if a male is a transwoman, any more than I care if a male is a Christian. It's the male that needs to be excluded, not his belief system.

call the police and report a hate crime if patients do not accept another person’s gender identity.

Doctors say that self-identification is particularly an issue on mental health wards, where patients may be suffering delusions, and which are locked so patients cannot leave. Allegations of rape on one such unit have been made.

JFC.

female patients have been accused of hate crimes, placed in seclusion and even threatened with their treatment being withdrawn for questioning why men who self-identify as women are placed in single-sex accommodation

Again, JFC.

Unjustifiable but who cares,it's only women being deprived of privacy, dignity and safety.

Agree, ArabellaScott. It's horrifying. For me the gaslighting element is perhaps the worst part of this. If they said, "We are going to place men on women's wards because we can't think of anything else to do with them and we don't really care about women's privacy, dignity or safety" you could at least feel you had a fair fight on your hands. But when they treat any female patient who refuses to lie about the evidence of her own eyes as a bigot, that becomes intolerable.

And these are people who work in health care. They know how important biological sex is.

We are going to place men on women's wards because we can't think of anything else to do with them and we don't really care about women's privacy, dignity or safety" you could at least feel you had a fair fight on your hands.

Exactly.