Patients may be guilty of discrimination if they refuse care of transgender medic, NHS bosses told
Patients may be found guilty of discrimination if they refuse the care of a transgender medic, according to new NHS guidance.
Health bosses have been warned that patients have no right to be told a healthcare worker’s assigned sex at birth.
However, transgender health workers can choose not to treat patients if they feel uncomfortable doing so, the report by NHS Confederation says.
The report, published earlier this month in partnership with the LGBT Foundation, says patients can only request care from a same-sex staff member in limited circumstances, such as if they are having an intimate examination.
It states that when a patient requests an employee administering care to be a woman or a man, “the comfort of the staff member should be prioritised”.
Source: Telegraph, 9 June 2023