It has emerged that the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust hospital has instructed its staff to use terms like ‘birthing parents’ and ‘human milk’ rather than ‘mothers’ and ‘breast milk’. This will be done so that transgender people are not offended. The new phrases are being described by the NHS Trust as ‘gender-inclusive’ and a means of stamping out ‘mainstream transphobia’.
UNN’s Oliver Down understands that the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust is the first in the country to formally overhaul what will now be known as ‘perinatal services’. In addition to this, other changes will include replacing the use of the word ‘woman’ with the phrase ‘woman or person’, and the term ‘father’ with ‘parent’ or ‘second biological parent’, dependent on circumstances.
The document, which has been released this week, has said: ‘Gender identity can be a source of oppression and health inequality. We are consciously using the words ‘women’ and ‘people’ together to make it clear that we are committed to working on addressing health inequalities for all those who use our services. As midwives and birth workers, we focus on improving access and health outcomes for marginalised and disadvantaged groups. Women are frequently disadvantaged in healthcare, as are trans and non-binary people. By continuing to use the term ‘woman’ we commit to working on addressing health inequalities for all who use our services’.
The document then goes on to say: ‘We also recognise that there is currently biological essentialism and transphobia present within elements of mainstream birth narratives and discourse. We strive to protect our trans and non-binary service users and healthcare professionals from additional persecution as a consequence of terminology changes, recognising the significant impact this can have on psychological and emotional wellbeing. Acknowledging the cultural context in which service development occurs is vital in making trans and non-binary lives safer’.
This move has been welcomed by the campaign group TransActual who tweeted: ‘This is fantastic, well done. Let’s hope many more trusts follow suit. Everybody deserves to be treated with dignity and respect’.
Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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