How should NHS staff refer to trans patients?

NHS staff are legally required to refer to transgender patients according to their gender identity. This means addressing transgender women as women with she/her pronouns, and transgender men as men with he/him pronouns. Healthcare providers who fail to do this face potential legal consequences for discrimination.

This requirement extends beyond verbal communication to all aspects of healthcare delivery. Evidence shows that respectful treatment significantly improves health outcomes for transgender patients, who often experience barriers to accessing care. The Equality Act 2010 protects transgender people from discrimination in healthcare settings, making appropriate language use a legal obligation rather than optional courtesy.

Guidelines emphasise that this principle applies consistently across all interactions, medical documentation, and practical decisions such as ward placement. Research indicates that transgender patients frequently avoid seeking medical care due to previous negative experiences with healthcare providers, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and poorer health outcomes.

Healthcare professionals should also ask patients privately about their preferred name and pronouns if uncertain, particularly when medical records may not reflect current gender identity. Training programmes across NHS trusts increasingly focus on creating inclusive environments where all patients feel safe and respected during their care.