South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is continuing to permit transgender staff to use restroom facilities that align with their gender identity, a stance that emerged over a year after a Supreme Court ruling addressed similar issues. The trust's policy, outlined in a 22-page document issued in September, states that transgender employees “can use the facilities congruent to their gender identity,” and that it is “not appropriate” to direct them to accessible or gender-neutral restrooms.
Instead, the policy suggests that staff members who do not wish to share facilities with transgender colleagues should utilize alternative restrooms. This approach has drawn criticism from female employees who argue it infringes upon their rights and privacy.
The Supreme Court's ruling last year clarified that the terms 'woman' and 'man' under the UK's Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex rather than a person's chosen gender identity. The Equality and Human Rights Commission's recent Code of Practice further advises organizations to provide single-sex toilets, changing rooms, and similar facilities based on biological sex.
The South East Coast Ambulance Service's policy also warns that intentionally misgendering transgender colleagues or persistently using their former names could be considered bullying or harassment, potentially leading to disciplinary action.
Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at the sex-based rights charity Sex Matters, described the situation as “shameful,” emphasizing that female paramedics are being denied privacy from men in changing rooms and toilets. "Their employer is letting down its female staff and breaking the law, which is clear on the obligation to provide single-sex facilities," McAnena stated.
A female paramedic employed by the trust expressed feelings of being unsupported and unsafe, stating, “My organisation claims to be inclusive, yet it is so quick to dismiss the rights of women.” She added that many colleagues share her concerns but fear disciplinary action for speaking out. The focus on pronouns and language, she believes, detracts from patient care in a high-pressure environment.
Another paramedic recounted a similar experience at a different trust where a male colleague identifying as a woman used female-only facilities, including showers. When raised with management, staff were reportedly told nothing could be done, leading female employees to avoid the facilities. "Without clear sex-based policies, women feel unsafe," she commented.
The trust's guidance is part of a broader procedure for supporting transgender employees and service users. Additionally, its menopause policy includes transgender men, non-binary, and some intersex colleagues under the term 'women,' and suggests trans women might experience menopause-like symptoms if hormone treatments are interrupted.
South East Coast Ambulance Service is reportedly the only one of England's 10 NHS ambulance trusts to publicly post transgender staff guidance on its website. A spokesperson for the trust stated that its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy is currently under review to ensure alignment with current legislation, case law, NHS guidance, and best practices. "We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all staff and delivering services that are accessible and equitable for the diverse communities we serve," the spokesperson added.