Legal action launched after NHS Trust allowed bearded male patients who identify as women onto female psychiatric wards

[RoseInAPot]

https://christianconcern.com/ccpressreleases/legal-action-launched-after-nhs-trust-allowed-bearded-male-patients-who-identify-as-women-onto-female-psychiatric-wards/

This is particularly shocking;

"Dr A argues that women receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment are among the most vulnerable patients in the healthcare system.
Dr A was also concerned that biologically male staff members, who identify as women, could be put forward to provide intimate same sex care to female patients, if they hadn’t already.
For example, a female patient who was deemed to be a risk to herself would likely be supervised in the shower whilst using a razor to shave her legs.
When Dr A raised this scenario with the EDI team , she was told that the female inpatient would have to justify why she wanted same sex intimate care, for example citing a history of sexual abuse, and the nurse in charge would have to decide if her argument was good enough.
During this conversation, Dr A was also told that there were no plans for this scenario to be addressed in any policy. Dr A alleges that her concerns around legitimate same sex care were dismissed as being hypothetical and not worthy of further institutional consideration."

Just about to flag this one. No comments allowed in the Times as presumably it is subjudice. I am appalled that this was allowed in the first place, let alone a second time by management. People working in psychiatric care know very well how dangerous male patients can be. There is no excuse after the Supreme Court ruling. And to expect female patients, also very ill, to request single sex services when we know what can happen to those who complain, is just outrageous. The Captured NHS needs to sort itself out . This is Not Acceptable. Well done to the doctor who spoke out and is taking the case.

Good grief. The NHS demonstrates on a daily basis why it's unfit for purpose. How on earth can they employ staff who hold such dangerous, predatory views?

Was just coming here to post it too!

Bloody hell. Still, the NHS trust can't say they weren't warned and the absurdity of their position was there for all to see.

The Times article has some shocking details. He was moved after repeated flashing but was then moved back on the instructions of senior people in the trust.
If that's not a criminal offence of enabling indecent exposure and voyeurism on the part of those managers, I don't know what is!

www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/trans-patient-female-ward-claim-nhs-vb092hbnd

What the hell is going on in the tiny fucking brains of these people?

Does anyone have a shared token for the Times article 🙏🏻

The Times seem to have learnt how to stop archive copying their articles - it's still behind a paywall on the archive link - sorry.

Found one on X (thanks Sharron Davies)

https://www.thetimes.com/article/2d7d94d0-2c78-46a8-88fb-7b0998cde18d?shareToken=3b56778fad8257e644e6078c52434662

For me the jawdrop moment was "If a male patient went into the women's ward, there'd be a high level investigation".

But if he pops on a frock and calls himself Julie, management will PUT him in the women's ward?!

Yet senior NHS staff see no problem with that? They must have a really unpleasant, sadistic mindset to make those decisions.
Hopefully some of them will be appearing in a court having to explain why they're so determined that flashers and voyeurs must have access to vulnerable mentally unwell women. 😡

And thank you to Dr A who has no doubt put her career on the line in order to expose these predatory NHS staff.

Absolutely, another shero for the rollcall.

They either are or pretend to be true believers. So a transwoman is a woman and women aren't a danger to other women.

Sue the arses off them. It's the only way the NHS will reflect and make changes. Absolute fuckwits whoever thought this was safe practice.

Why does it fall to small charities and women's groups to start litigation, to make the NHS comply with the LAW! Surely the government with its legions of legal staff and deep pockets are responsible. I despair. Truly.

Fisrt thought on reading the female inpatient would have to justify why she wanted same sex intimate care, for example citing a history of sexual abuse, and the nurse in charge would have to decide if her argument was good enough fucking hell, the cruelty, is someone getting off on it?

I recently listened to a podcast about Lord of the Flies and how William Golding's experience on WW2 led to him believing that humans aren't good and that those on the Allies side were dishonest about how they much enjoyed war, and could avoid it because they were fighting the obvious baddies.
I can't help wondering how much some people are enjoying putting women in their place.

The NHS keeps me alive for fuck's sake, it's saved my life 3 times and provides the medication that stops me dropping down dead.

Wondering if any MNers can shed light on the previous case brought by this doctor that was partially successful?

The truly terrifying thing is that the senior management are acting in line with guidance. If they only read that, they will be convinced what they’re doing is not only right but legal. The FOIs that @KnottyAuty organised show that: seeninhealth.org/map-policies/

The only fix is getting the right guidance out from NHSE (or DHSC, if NHSE are too busy imploding), and they’re dragging their feet. It’s hard to understand why they haven’t published updated guidance based on the Supreme Court ruling, unless you assume ill intent or Ministerial fear of TRA backlash.

I’ve previously spent rather more time than I care to remember on psych wards, and this story makes me feel sick. You already have so little privacy, so little control over your environment, and no ability to escape. Patients can often be distressed or disinhibited - I’ve seen women run naked and screaming through the ward. To be forced into such close quarters with a man, while being told he’s a woman, when you’re unsure of reality anyway, is cruelty.

During the debate on the Health Bill on Tuesday, Karin Smyth the minister said

"the EHRC’s updated code of practice for services, public functions and associations commenced on 5 August. It provides guidance on how sex-based distinctions in the Equality Act can be applied, including in the NHS. This new clause is unnecessary. This legislation is the law and the law is clear. The NHS will obviously follow the law. New guidance has been drafted and will be published imminently. For the record, I am due next week to meet the Darlington nurses who she spoke for. I agree that they were brave; they should not have had to go through what they went through."

'Imminently' doing a lot of work as usual...

So sorry to hear that @TheDisguiseOfReasonableness
Shocking.

FGS I do wish our NHS would stop dragging its bloody heels and get on with it? What are they scared of?
Well done Dr A and good luck

Background on Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust that I found, for anyone who is interested:

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - Overview - Care Quality Commission

We served a warning notice on Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust on 12 August 2026 for failing to meet the regulations related to oversight of people waiting for treatment or intervention by adult community mental health services.

Manchester MH and social care trust praised by Stonewall | HSJ Local | Health Service Journal
(you need to be subscribed to read more of this, and I can't see a date)

Manchester MH and social care trust praised by Stonewall

WORKFORCE: Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust has been named as the highest performing mental health trust in the North of England for its work on discrimination and creating an inclusive workplace.

GMMH takes Manchester Village Pride 2026 | News and Events | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT

(GMMH and Pride, 2026)

Our CEO, Chris Oliver said:
"Today was my first Manchester Pride Parade with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Despite the rain, the atmosphere was incredible.
Pride is important to me because everyone deserves to feel able to be themselves, at work, in healthcare, and in life. It's a celebration of how far we've come as a community but a reminder of why visibility, inclusion and belonging still matter.
A huge thank you to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust for the invitation and to all the colleagues and allies who made today so special."

Chair of the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, Nik Hookey, said:
“It was fabulous to join with NHS colleagues across Greater Manchester to show that we are united in making the NHS a great place to work and to receive treatment whatever your sexual or gender identity. Our Staff Network is here all year round to provide support.”

Living our Values | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT

GMMH NHS FT's "values." Really.

I am enraged but sadly not surprised at the shit show that is our NHS management.

Thanks for this!

"When Dr A raised this scenario with the equality, diversity and inclusion team, she claimed she was told that the female inpatient would have to advocate for herself to justify why she wanted same-sex intimate care and the nurse in charge would have to decide if her argument was valid."

This team needs to be the first to be called into court, and they can justify why they think a women has to justify having their personal care delivered by someone who the same sex as they are.

They can also justify their salaries, I'd love for one of them to explain to me why the NHS should be paying them for anything whatsoever.

These affinity groups have got to go, they're a waste of money and space.

Well done to Dr A for taking up this fight.