Pregnancy app used by the NHS accused of 'imposing gender ideology'

Release time：2024-05-22 04:31:10 Source：International Insights news portal

A pregnancy app used by the NHS has been accused of 'imposing gender ideology' by asking expectant women if they are male.

Badger Notes, which has been adopted by English NHS trusts, was introduced in a bid to streamline the hard copy maternity notes given to pregnant women.

But the app has attracted fury from campaigners after it emerged users were asked multiple questions about gender and sexuality. 

Those signing up to the app were required to confirm whether their gender was the same as the one 'registered at birth', before answering if they were 'female', 'male', 'non-binary' or 'gender fluid'.

Another question asked for 'your preferred pronouns'. On a section relating to smoking, the app asks whether the 'pregnant person' has been offered help to quit.

Those signing up to the app were required to confirm whether their gender was the same as the one 'registered at birth'. Stock image

Badger Notes (pictured), which has been adopted by English NHS trusts, was introduced in a bid to streamline the hard copy maternity notes given to pregnant women

Maya Forstater, chief executive of charity Sex Matters (pictured), said: 'This is yet another example of the NHS getting it wrong and imposing gender ideology on patients'

While the app is not used universally across NHS England, trusts around the country are signed up. It is also used in Scotland.

Developer System C claims its app is used to support 60 per cent of pregnancies in the UK. It also claims trusts can make decisions individually about whether to include questions on gender.

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Maya Forstater, chief executive of charity Sex Matters, said: 'This is yet another example of the NHS getting it wrong and imposing gender ideology on patients. Asking mothers-to-be if their "gender" is the same as their sex, which is supposedly "assigned at birth", bakes in activist assumptions.

'Women who want to tell healthcare providers their "preferred pronouns" or that they identify as trans or non-binary should be able to do so.

'But does this mean everyone should be bothered with an ideological question that will mean nothing to most patients?'

An NHS England spokesman said: 'NHS England did not develop this app. The NHS expects language in any service our patients use to be inclusive of women and respectful to everybody.'

Nick Wilson, chief executive of System C, said: 'We always try to provide systems which give the NHS the flexibility to provide care according to local needs.'

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