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Health Services: Gender

Asked by Charlie DewhirstConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 13 July 2026UIN 15815

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance has (a) his Department, (b) NHS England and (c) MHPRA provides to NHS bodies and his Department’s arm’s length bodies on (a) the expression of gender critical views and (b) recognition of biological sex.

Answered by Karin Smyth

No specific guidance has been issued. The Department expects its arm’s-length bodies and the National Health Service to adhere to the Equality Act 2010, which protects everyone against discrimination on the basis of the protected characteristics set out in the act. In addition to this, public bodies have a legal duty to eliminate discrimination and advance equality of opportunity.

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