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Hospital Wards: Sex

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 30 April 2025UIN 47161

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to ensure the recognition of biological sex in (a) single-sex hospital wards and (b) staff facilities.

Answered by Karin Smyth

Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by the Government. This is the law, and we expect all public service bodies to comply. The recent Supreme Court ruling in the For Women Scotland case has provided much needed confidence and clarity for the National Health Service to adapt its policies to ensure that same-sex spaces are always protected. This includes NHS England’s review of the Delivering same-sex accommodation guidance, as well as providers’ policies on same-sex spaces for staff.

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