By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight’s NHS Trust, in line with many NHS trusts across the country, has still to update its policies about the use of single sex facilities by transgender staff, following the UK Supreme Court ruling, in April, that defines ‘sex’ and ‘woman’ in the Equality Act 2010 as biological sex at birth, rather than gender identity.
A spokeswoman for the trust said, prior to the judgement: “The trust’s equality, diversity and human rights policy addresses our approach to the treatment of staff and workers with a protected characteristic in law. There is no specific reference in this policy to ‘transgender’ staff using single sex facilities. Should the need to consider this arise, it would be dealt with in accordance with the general principles described in our policy taking into account the trust’s obligations in law, recognising the unique needs of individuals affected.”
This week she confirmed: “No policy changes have been made yet as the Supreme Court ruling and its full impact of the implications are still being assessed. We are awaiting national guidelines.”
The trust’s HR employment record system does not require staff to declare whether they are transgender.
A question about whether patients would be treated in wards based on their biological sex or chosen gender was unanswered at the time we went to press last night.
