Any policy relating to the care or treatment of transgender patients whilst inpatient including bed/ward allocation,
The Trust does not have a policy specific to this question, but ELHT has guidelines to care provision for transgender adults, see attached. The Trust also has a Trans Champion who supports patients with specific issues that trans people face in accessing services.
Any policy relating to the care or treatment of transgender patients whilst outpatient,
The Trust does not have a policy specific to this question, but ELHT has guidelines to care provision for transgender adults, see attached. The Trust also has a Trans Champion who supports patients with specific issues that trans people face in accessing services.
Any policy relating to the updating of patient records for transgender patients when they change name and/or sex marker,
Yes. Section 13 in the Clinical Records Policy, policy attached. The Trust’s Acute Electronic Patient Record (EP)R system allows ELHT to record patients’ biological sex and self-described gender identity.
Any policy relating to the issuance of a new hospital number for transgender patients when they update their listed sex via the process set out by PCSE,
Yes, section 13 in the Clinical Records Policy - policy attached.
Any policy relating to the updating and redaction of patient records for transgender patients when they are issued a new NHS Number by PCSE,
Yes, section 13 in the Clinical Records Policy - policy attached.
Any policy regarding post NHS number/name-change clinical notes and communications regarding transgender patients, such as guidance as to when it is clinically appropriate to mention that a patient is transgender, including any policy statements relating to staff awareness of section 22 of the gender recognition act 2004.
Yes, section 13 in the Clinical Records Policy - policy attached
The following activities are carried out in ELHT:
- Classroom-based training sessions on Transgender Awareness is provided to all staff
- Pronouns e learning training is available to all staff
- The Trust has an LGBTQ+ staff and allies network group. The network advises, promotes and supports LGBTQ+ inclusivity across ELHT for staff/colleagues and patients who may identify as LGBTQ+ within the communities the Trust serves.
- One of the staffside unions with the largest representation, Unison, has shared with their members “It’s just good care: A guide for health staff caring for people who are trans”. See attached
- The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) section on the Trust Internet page includes a statement about how the Trust will not tolerate homophobia, biphobia or transphobia
- In April 2023 ELHT hosted the “Free to Be Me - Engagement Project” with Trans & Non-Binary Colleagues and patients. This is a collaboration project with NHS England and Because2 Ltd to capture the lived experiences of our trans and non-binary colleagues and patients. See attached.
Also, can you confirm if the trust has any plans to update any of the above policies in the near future?
Yes: The Trust is part of the NHS Rainbow Badge Accreditation Scheme. The attached toolkit has all the information that Trusts/organisations need to put into practice to actively break down barriers, which LGBT+ people may face within the NHS. The toolkit promotes an environment that is open, tolerant and inclusive of LGBTQ+ people and shows that ELHT offers open, non-judgmental and inclusive support and care for all, regardless of how people identify themselves. ELHT has achieved Bronze accreditation, and one of the main recommendations from the assessment is to review policies. See attached Rainbow badge scheme framework.
