BAGIS statement on proposed changes to the NHS constitution

3rd June 2024

The British Association of Gender Identity Specialists is opposed to the proposed changes to the NHS constitution entitled “Sex and gender reassignment”.

These proposed changes are poorly conceived and likely to lead to negative consequences for all groups who access NHS services, including staff. Whilst they may be aligned with some of the populist ideology that seeks to divide society along political lines, these changes will have long lasting negative impacts on a small vulnerable group of patients. 

Transgender individuals have been receiving and providing healthcare in the NHS for nearly sixty years.

These proposed changes threaten the safety of transgender staff and patients, who may have their trans status inappropriately disclosed and face further negativity. In segregating transgender individuals, these changes increase the opportunities for discrimination against this community.  An NHS that enforces such changes does not feel safe for transgender patients, potentially leading to healthcare avoidance and exacerbating existing healthcare inequalities for this population.