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Hospital Wards: Women

Asked by Dr Caroline JohnsonConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 30 April 2025UIN 45763

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to ensure that biological women can access single-sex healthcare provision in NHS hospital wards.

Answered by Karin Smyth

We have always supported the protection of single-sex spaces based on biological sex. The Supreme Court ruling about the meaning of ‘sex’ in the Equality Acy 2010 case has provided much needed confidence and clarity to service providers.

The National Health Service is reviewing its ‘delivering same-sex accommodation’ guidance and will ensure it reflects the Supreme Court ruling. Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by the Government.

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