New NHS England guidance, which dictates that single-sex wards, toilets, and changing rooms should be used based on biological sex rather than gender identity, could lead to a number of adverse impacts for trans people, according to an internal report.
The NHS England impact assessment, seen by the Guardian, suggests trans people may experience delays in care and a greater risk of "corridor care" if side rooms are unavailable. It also stated that trans people may face discrimination, potentially leading them to avoid accessing healthcare entirely.
The assessment highlighted that the policy's focus on "privacy, dignity and safety for men and women" would have a positive impact, as would the legal accuracy of the guidance. Benefits for pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with certain religious beliefs, and minority-ethnic groups were also noted.
However, the report warned of potential negative impacts on fostering good relations between cisgender and transgender people, as staff might need to balance the needs of different groups. It also raised concerns that some women who do not "present in line with general societal expectations" could be questioned about their sex to access single-sex wards.
NHS England published the new guidance for trusts on Thursday. The policy states that trans people should be "accommodated in line with their biological sex" while ensuring their clinical needs, privacy, dignity, and safety are maintained.