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Norfolk's hospitals are reviewing their single-sex wards policy after a landmark ruling that a woman is defined by her biological sex. Supreme Court judges have said the legal definition does not include transgender women. Lady Kishwer Falkner, the chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has said the "enormously consequential" decision meant the NHS must now update its guidelines on single-sex wards.
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (Image: Brittany Woodman) They currently say that trans people should be accommodated in single-sex areas according to how they identify, rather than their biological sex. The ruling suggests that from now, women's toilets, changing rooms and other single-sex spaces will be for biological women only, while a transgender man or woman should use facilities that correspond to their biological sex. READ MORE: New chief executive will oversee three Norfolk hospitals The James Paget University Hospital (Image: JPUH) Norfolk's three main hospitals are now reviewing single-sex wards.
A spokesman for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital said: "Like all public bodies, we will be reviewing our policies and we are waiting for further national guidance and clarity following the UK Supreme Court ruling. "Our unwavering commitment in the NHS is to treat all staff, volunteers, patients, carers and visitors with compassion and kindness and that will not change." The Queen Elizabeth Hospital at King's Lynn (Image: QEH) The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn and James Paget University Hospital at Gorleston both responded with the same statement.
It said: "The NHS is currently reviewing guidance on same sex accommodation and as part of this process, will consider and take into account all relevant legislation and the Supreme Court ruling." Lady Falkner described the Supreme Court ruling as a "victory for common sense". She said: "If a male is allowed to use a women-only service, it isn't any longer a single-sex space.
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