England: Male patients asked about pregnancy

New guidelines from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) have sparked debate after several hospitals began asking all patients, including men, if they are pregnant before undergoing X-rays.

The decision has been met with both criticism and confusion, but is said to be aimed at protecting fetuses from potentially dangerous radiation.

The new guidelines were prompted by an incident in which a pregnant transgender woman, who was born a biological female, underwent an X-ray without being aware of the risks to the fetus, according to The Standard and others.

In response, the Society of Radiographers (SoR) recently introduced an “inclusive” policy that requires all patients between the ages of 12 and 55 to disclose if they are pregnant, regardless of “gender identity.”

A spokesperson for the Walton Centre NHS Trust in Liverpool explains that this is “the least intrusive way of ensuring that the examination can be carried out safely”, stressing that radiation can be harmful to fetuses in the womb.

– Given that it is impossible for anyone of the male sex to become pregnant, there is no need to ask male people if they might be pregnant… The proposed radiography guidelines muddy the water by including so-called intersex conditions, Dr. Louise Irvine told The Telegraph.

NHS trusts ask men if they are pregnant before having scans

Can we clear this up once and for all, as the NHS obviously think they can.

Can men have babies? pic.twitter.com/6jsoKetGzn

— WeGotitBack 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@NotFarLeftAtAll) February 22, 2024

“Unnecessary confusion and stress”

But critics say the policy creates unnecessary confusion and stress, especially for vulnerable patients. Other patients are irritated by the politically correct questions.

Kat Barber, representing the campaign group Sex Not Gender Nurses and Midwives, says: “We do not need to ask all patients if they are pregnant. We need to ask females, hence why it is important to know if the person we are providing care for is female whilst also respecting their gender identity”.

It is also reported that a number of male patients have reacted very negatively to the new policy.

One patient, who had to undergo daily examinations for a period of time, reportedly began to question his own identity after being repeatedly asked about pregnancy. Another patient, who was on an emergency cancer treatment plan, is said to have left his appointment in anger after being asked the questions.