from Christian Concern
Senior Conservatives have intervened in the growing controversy over the admission of biological males to female psychiatric wards operated by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Damian Hinds, and Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, Joy Morrissey, have written to the Trust’s chief executive, demanding urgent answers about safeguarding, the recording of biological sex and whether female patients can receive same-sex intimate care without having to justify their request.
Their intervention follows reports that a biologically male patient was admitted to a female psychiatric ward and, despite complaints about the patient’s behaviour, including an allegation that the patient exposed himself to vulnerable women, was returned to the female ward after initially being moved.
In their letter, the MPs describe the allegations as “particularly disturbing”, pointing out that many female psychiatric inpatients are detained, may have experienced sexual or domestic violence and may not be able to advocate effectively for their safety and dignity.
The intervention comes as a senior doctor and consultant psychiatrist, anonymised as Dr A, launched legal action against the Trust, alleging that it dismissed serious safeguarding concerns over biologically male patients who identify as women being admitted to female psychiatric wards.
Dr A, who is supported by the Christian Legal Centre, says vulnerable women, including survivors of sexual violence, have been detained on wards under policies that allow biological males to access female accommodation, toilets, showers and bathing facilities on the basis of gender identity or presentation.