NHS Policy Audit - working party -Thread #3

[KnottyAuty]

NHS Policy Audit - working party -Thread #3

Original thread #1 here:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5291237-nhs-policy-audit-working-party?page=1
Thread #2:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5322494-nhs-policy-audit-working-party-thread-2

This is a thread about “keeping the receipts” on NHS Policies prior to the Supreme Court ruling on 16th April 2025.

Our working theory is that there were no single sex spaces for NHS Staff or Patients in the entire country before that date, having all been removed by stealth.

We are aiming to prove this by auditing websites and policies for all the UK trusts and using the results to raise public awareness.

As well as recording what has happened historically, the information will form a baseline so we can check which Trusts comply or defy the judgement in due course...

We are working around the country region by region. If you fancy getting involved in a bit of grassroots feminism then please do join in to help!?

Each trust takes about an hour to research and you can upload online without giving any personal details away. Comment below and we can give you the link to an online survey - it changes for each region.

Thanks soooo much to all the vipers who have helped so far and @twoloons for doing a great job with the thread wrangling!

Well, indeed, but shhhh, no one’s supposed to know that!

My favourite today: it is important to take into account that immediately post-operatively, or while unconscious for any reason, those trans women who usually wear wigs, are unlikely to wear them in these circumstances, and may be 'read' incorrectly as men. Extra care is therefore required so that their privacy and dignity as women are appropriately ensured.

Hi @FarriersGirl, I have just submitted Dartford and Gravesham so I'm ready for another one 😀

Dropping in to say I've been feeling guilty on a daily basis about the ones I've not done yet - they will be finished by COP Friday I absolutely promise 😞

I thought SE was the region we're currently doing?

IGNORE ME! My brain is melting in the heat.

I meant SW!

Thank you but we are just about done on the SE now, I reallocated yours when I didn't hear from you. Hopefully you will be able to help with the next region?

Fabulous thank you. In that case I award you Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. Thank you

I have literally just done the mental health trust for this area. You can't accuse them of stealth and they have effectively abolished single sex spaces.

"Trans staff, like all staff, are entitled to use single sex facilities, e.g. toilets and changing rooms, of their choice."

I've submitted Oxford University Hospitals. They are a Stonewall Diversity Champion - but unable to find any trans policies despite references to them in other documents.
From their Same-Sex Accommodation Policy (FOI)
'However, in some cases, other patients may notice that the person is transgender. If another patient within a bay objects to sharing with a transgender person, a quiet word about equality and discrimination legislation may resolve the issue. If it does not, the person with the objection should be moved to another area. It is important that the transgender person is not made to feel uncomfortable, which could happen if they share a sleeping area with a patient who has expressed an objection.'

Run by Oxford Health not Oxford University Hospitals but mentions them.
During February 2022 Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust ran a series of events to support LGBT History month.
It works alongside other NHS organisations within the area, such as the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and these events were open to all within local NHS service providers.
One of the events was called 'Lets Talk About Trans and Non-Binary Inclusion'. In this a panel of three, comprising a trans male, trans female and NB, were to answer questions asked by the audience about being Trans and NB.

From Gender Aware re Supreme Court
'This case was brought by a small group of transphobic women who were backed by the far-right and religious extremist campaign, started a decade ago, intent on eradicating transgender people from society, who provided the £250,000 and legal resources required.'

@YellowRoom:

From Gender Aware re Supreme Court
'This case was brought by a small group of transphobic women who were backed by the far-right and religious extremist campaign, started a decade ago, intent on eradicating transgender people from society, who provided the £250,000 and legal resources required.'

What did I just read? Is that a publicly available statement?

Apologies for my brain melting moment re the SE!

But also: I am just…I don’t know. Not surprised any more? I almost need to see something shocking so I get angry about all this again.

Oh I am so ashamed of myself. Life just got away from me. Sorry and yes absolutely to the next region.

Please don’t worry! Life gets on top of us all at some point. There are lots of us here to carry the load. All good!

I was so shocked by this that I searched for Gender Aware and it is indeed publicly available, it's a blog post:
Gender Aware

I suppose if FWS tracked down every loon who accused them of being transphobes in the pocket of far right extremists they wouldn’t have time to make a cup of tea let alone campaign for women’s rights, but still, this seems pretty libellous to me…

@FarriersGirl I've submitted those last three - ready for the next region 😀

Please don't apologise we all have busy lives and things run away with us sometimes. ❤

Well it doesn't get any better does it. Those of us on this thread have literally read it all and we are still shocked and appalled 😱

What a team we are ❤wonderful vipers!! We have 2 regions left [NW and SW] plus Wales which should be easier if they respond to the FOI's recently requested. I will be in touch!

Amazing work! If you need a new form for the SW I can set one up later this evening?

Massive thank you to knottyauty, twoloons and farriersgirl for organising all this. And for being so, so lovely. I've been chipping away at my place of work for about four years and have much more recently found some work allies - which is both good and hard going (some big personalities, flouncing, scolding). The Trust audits are a bit boring and depressing, but it's great to be doing something practical. I'm not good at communicating my views without sounding completely demented, so I'm appreciating having the opportunity to help without having to speak (or think)!

So many words. So few facts.
Does no one care about truth any more?

That article is absolutely la-la. I’ve only fact checked the first 2 paragraphs and I’ve run out of steam. There are so many errors!

”towards the end of April” - err the 16th of April is the middle of the month by my reckoning

“transphobic women” = feminists concerned with protecting women’s rights unlawfully eroded by trans activists

“backed by the far-right and religious extremist campaign…who provided the £250,000 and legal resources required” = £232k crowd funded including £70k from JKR and 5021 donations by individuals (averages at £32 per donation).

“started a decade ago” = FWS was founded in 2018 which was 6 years before the SC hearing in Nov 2024.

“The case set out to get a simplistic, reductive and ideological definition of sex applied to the Equality Act” = the case was brought because the Scottish Government had unlawfully stated that its 2018 law on positive discrimination for women on public boards could include biological males.

…and so it goes on… oh dear. Do people really believe this?

Aww thanks for all your help. Thats really why I started this because I just can’t be sitting at home worrying. Being able to do something practical and concrete helps me keep calm (and sane)! Thanks so much for everyone who’s been helping - you’re all a wonderful bunch! 🥰

Sorry wasn't at all clear that I'd got the Supreme Court quote because the Trust had run the Trans/NB event with Gender Aware - so I took a look at the Gender Aware website.