NLGBA recently achieved a major success concerning the treatment of transgender patients accessing Northamptonshire’s sexual health services.

A complaint was lodged by a client of NLGBA concerning the unwillingness of staff at Kettering General Hospital to recognise the gender identification of the client. Advocacy on behalf of the client by Stuart McQuade, NLGBA, gained a “full and sincere apology for the actions of the staff” and “reassurance that this will not happen again”. In addition Susan Clennett, Clinical Risk Manager, Northampton NHS, stated “We strive to learn from complaints and your client’s concerns have prompted the service to agree a service standard on the treatment of transgender patients.”

Kettering General Hospital have now adopted the Policy for Privacy and Dignity – With specific regard to sexuality issued by Department of Sexual Health, Northampton General Hospital, that outlines clinical protocols for intimate examinations and includes the following statement:

“Transgender patients and other patients who so request should be allowed to be called by any name they choose or indeed by their folder number if that is considered appropriate. Any patient who has an issue with regard to the colour of their folder (males are currently green folders and females are currently pink folders) may choose the opposite colour if the patient feels this is more appropriate to their gender orientation.”

If you feel that you have been treated inappropriately while accessing any public service because of your gender or sexuality and would like help or advice in pursing the matter please contact NLGBA.

January 2005

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