Responding to the proposed update to the NHS Constitution for England, Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN Chief Nursing Officer and Deputy Chief Executive said:
“Patients are already able to request intimate care from a staff member of the same sex, but in an NHS missing tens of thousands of nursing staff it is nigh-on impossible to accommodate with any consistency. It’s also important to recognise that nursing staff treat all patients with the utmost respect and professionalism, no matter their gender. Trans and non-binary patients are deserving of high-quality care like any other patient and changes to health policy should be done with them, not unto them.
“Much of this announcement sounds like it was made in a parallel universe to the everyday experience of nursing staff working in the NHS. Nursing staff are caring for people in corridors, doorways and even store cupboards. They will have little faith in ministers’ supposed commitment to the ‘privacy, dignity and safety’ of patients.
“Patients need a proper say in their treatment and nursing staff will always advocate for this. Rapid reviews can help improve care by strengthening the voice of patients and families.”
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