Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust is facing criticism over its controversial pronoun guidance for staff working with transgender patients. The trust, which describes itself as a “values-based, inclusive organisation,” states that using correct pronouns is a “simple but powerful” way to show respect and support for transgender patients and staff.
The training, provided to 5,300 staff across 40 sites, was developed by a Birmingham LGBT charity and is delivered voluntarily three times a year. It instructs staff to use “they/them” pronouns if they are unsure of a patient’s gender. Additionally, traditional gendered terms such as “lady” are to be replaced with neutral words like “person” when the patient’s gender is unknown.
Staff are also advised not to judge pronouns based on voice pitch during phone calls. For example, addressing someone as “sir” because of a deep voice is considered inappropriate if medical records indicate a female name.
Fiona McAnena, director of the campaign group Sex Matters, criticised the guidance as “dehumanising and uncaring.” She argued that patients deserve “the warmth and respect of normal human speech” rather than what she described as robotic avoidance of gendered language. McAnena also warned that the policy could confuse non-native English speakers and called for a return to clear, familiar terms such as “men” and “women.”
Despite the backlash, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust has confirmed that the training will continue to be offered voluntarily three times a year. Meanwhile, NHS England is reviewing national guidance on transgender patient care, which may lead to changes in policies across the country. Until a national decision is made, trusts like Birmingham’s will continue to set their own rules regarding pronoun use and how to address patients.
Originally published by UKNIP.
