NHS told 'call women women' after dropping to from online advice pages

NHS told 'call women women' after dropping to from online advice pages
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Jamie  Micklethwaite

By Jamie Micklethwaite


Published: 17/06/2022

- 16:35

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:59

A source close to Sajid Javid has claimed he read NHS bosses the 'riot act' over dropping the term

NHS bosses have been ordered to stop dropping the term "women" from online advice pages, as medical advice was becoming confusing.

A source close to the Health Secretary told The Sun said he is worried gender neutral terms risk confusing patients.


Conditions that could be affected by this are diseases and conditions that specifically related to people born as women.

Online pages have replaced the term women with "person with ovaries" in a bid to be more inclusive.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid plays a game of pool during a visit to the African Caribbean Community Initiative (ACCI) in Wolverhampton
Health Secretary Sajid Javid plays a game of pool during a visit to the African Caribbean Community Initiative (ACCI) in Wolverhampton
Jacob King

But any future changes to language must now be run past Department of Health bosses.

Child health expert Dr Karleen Gribble told The Sun: “De-sexed language is less accessible.

“Many people do not even know if they have a cervix or prostate.

"But they do understand men or women.

"The potential harm is people don’t respond to public health messaging.

“It might result in a fatal delay in seeking health care.”

NHS Digital said: “We keep the pages under continual review to ensure they use language that is inclusive, respectful and relevant.

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