These are some questions you may wish to ask candidates standing in your constituency in the general election, in relation to sex and gender in health care and service provision. You could ask in writing, or in any public hustings events, or at the door if canvassers come round.
If writing we suggest you provide a personal introductory paragraph saying something about yourself and why this is an important issue for you, or how the answers may affect the way you decide to vote. You may wish to make reference to items in the party’s manifesto, where appropriate.
You can find out how to contact candidates in your constituency here: https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/
Suggested questions with background information:
1. The Cass Review
What is your position on the Cass Review (Independent review of Gender identity Services for Children and Young People)? Do you support full implementation of the Cass Review recommendations?
Background information:
These recommendations include offering psychosocial interventions as first line treatment for children and young people with gender dysphoria, and stopping the prescription of puberty blockers except within a research framework.
Dr Hilary Cass said: “The intent of psychological intervention is not to change the person’s perception of who they are but to work with them to explore their concerns and experiences and help alleviate their distress, regardless of whether they pursue a medical pathway or not”.
A summary of the Cass Review can be found here.
2. Conversion Practices Bill
What is your position on a proposed Conversion Therapy bill? Do you agree that it is important that any such legislation ensures there are no unintended consequence which would make clinicians afraid to provide an exploratory approach to young people who are distressed about their sex, instead of immediately affirming them and putting them on a medical pathway of hormones and surgery?
Background information:
The use of the term ‘conversion therapy’ alludes to the past brutal ‘therapy’ given to gay people. The term is inappropriate in this setting.
Dr Hilary Cass said: ” It is harmful to equate psychological intervention to conversion therapy as it may prevent young people from getting the emotional support they deserve.”
Dr Cass said: “children and young people with gender dysphoria may have a range of complex psychosocial challenges and/or mental health problems impacting on their gender-related distress. Exploration of these issues is essential to provide diagnosis, clinical support and appropriate intervention.”
3. Self-ID of sex/gender
What is your position on possible ‘self-ID’ legislation, enabling a person to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate, change their sex on their birth certificate and access services for the opposite sex by a simple declaration, without the requirement for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria by two clinicians?
Do you agree that this would further compromise women’s access to single-sex health services including hospital wards, and women’s ability to choose a female healthcare provider for intimate care?
Background information:
Various parties have said that they will introduce measures to allow “self-ID” of sex. This would remove the current requirement for a diagnosis of “gender dysphoria” made by two clinicians, before someone could apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate. CAN-SG believes this will remove barriers and safeguards against any man declaring himself to be a woman, and would undermine provisions for single sex health care where it is needed, with adverse implications especially for women’s health care.
4. Teaching “gender identity” in schools
What is you position on the current Government changes to the provision of factual, age-appropriate sex education that does not confuse children, in particular the teaching of “gender identity” in schools, which misleads children into thinking it is possible to change sex? Do you support the proposal that the contested topic of gender identity should not be taught? Do you agree that parents have the right to know about everything their children are being taught and be given a proper chance to understand and discuss it?
Background information:
The Government is consulting on RSHE statutory guidance. A future government would be expected to have regard to the results of the consultation: https://consult.education.gov.uk/rshe-team/review-of-the-rshe-statutory-guidance/
5. NHS Constitution
Do you support the proposal to make changes to the NHS Constitution to ensure single sex services where appropriate?
Background information:
The current government is consulting on proposals to change the NHS Constitution to include the following pledges (a future government would be expected to have regard to the results of the consultation):
“You have the right to expect that NHS services will reflect your preferences and meet your needs, including the differing biological needs of the sexes, providing single and separate-sex services where it is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.”
“Patients can request intimate care be provided, where reasonably possible, by someone of the same biological sex.”
“If you are admitted to hospital, you will not have to share sleeping accommodation with patients of the opposite biological sex, except where appropriate.”
6. Accurate language, data collection and research on sex and gender
Do you agree that there needs to be clarity about biological sex in health care communication, data collection and medical research in order to understand the ways that health problems differently affect women and men, plan and provide services appropriately, and communicate clearly to the public about health issues that affect women and men?
Background information:
The Government has responded to concerns amongst academics and policy makers about the loss of robust, standardised data on sex. There is also evidence of wider barriers, at an institutional and societal level, to research and scholarly activity regarding sex and gender, making it difficult for open discussion to take place. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is conducting a review to identify obstacles to accurate data collection and research on sex and on gender identity in public bodies and in the research system, with the aim of setting out good practice guidance for how to collect data on sex and gender identity.
In the Women’s Health Strategy for England concern was raised about removing language around biological sex and women – for example, referring to ‘pregnant people’. It was recognised in the plan that such an approach to language has the potential for unintended adverse health consequences.
The Scottish Women’s Health Plan advocates improved collection and use of data on women’s health, ensuring disaggregation by protected characteristics, including sex.