The NHS is considering changing guidance on terms such as “chestfeeding” to give hospitals clearer language based on biological sex.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins is expected to announce new changes to the NHS constitution this week.
Referring to patients as “people with ovaries” rather than “women” could be outlawed, and trans women may not be treated in single-sex female wards.
By law, patients will also have the right to request that intimate care be carried out by someone of the same sex.
Maternity services in the UK were previously told to swap the term “breastfeeding” for phrases such as “chestfeeding” or “infantfeeding” as they were said to be more inclusive.
“Chestfeeding” is the process of feeding a baby milk from your chest. It's most often used by transgender and nonbinary parents.
They were also asked to replace the term "vaginal birth" with "frontal or lower birth".
Why are the changes being made?
The government says that they want to create more clarity around terms used in the NHS.
A government source told the Sunday Telegraph: “The Government has been clear that biological sex matters, and women and girls are entitled to receive the protection and privacy they need in all healthcare settings.
“Our proposed updates to the NHS constitution will give patients the right to request same-sex intimate care and accommodation to protect their safety, privacy and dignity.”
Maternity services in the UK were previously told to swap the term “breastfeeding” for phrases such as “chestfeeding” or “infantfeeding” as they were said to be more inclusive.
Ex-Health Secretary Steve Barclay had announced that changes would take place at the Tory Party's conference last year.
He said: “If we do not get this right now, the long-term consequences could be very serious for the protection of women and future generations.”
Maya Forstater, chief executive of the campaign group Sex Matters, told the Telegraph: “These much-needed changes to the NHS constitution will help secure essential sex-based rights in healthcare across England.
“Clear language, single-sex wards and access to intimate care provided by a health professional of the same sex are crucial to the wellbeing and safety of female patients.”
