NHS and Sexuality : When to Ask What

The report that NHS staff are to ask questions about a patient’s sexuality ‘to avoid discrimination’ suggests suggest a blunder somewhere.

First of all discrimination of all kinds is illegal and one would imagine entirely absent from the NHS. If it is not, asking intrusive and personal questions gratuitously will not help. Of course, if a patient is attending a sexual health clinic, it is an obvious part of information gathering to determine treatment and advice. But for an old lady having her corns fixed the inquiry has at the very least a smutty ring. And absolutely no relevance to the situation.

We are constantly reminded that the NHS is under pressure and short of staff. This is certainly the case. All the more reason to question this peculiar initiative and a very good reason to close it down.