# NHS England says trans patients should use hospital spaces by biological sex

NHS England has issued new guidance stating that transgender patients should use hospital wards, toilets and changing rooms matching their biological sex rather than their gender identity. The move follows a UK Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of sex and is likely to restrict how trans people access single-sex hospital facilities. It has drawn sharp criticism from trans rights groups, who say it will harm patients' dignity and safety, while supporters call it a clarification of existing law.

**Importance:** 4/5

## Sources

### Health
- [BBC Health](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cry83dyddv6no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 14:55:32 GMT