NHS England’s trans ward policy could increase risk of ‘corridor care’, report finds
practical constraints in hospitals could leave trans people waiting for a suitable space (Getty Images)
An internal NHS England impact assessment has warned that the new single-sex wards guidance could lead to delays in care and a greater risk of “corridor care” for trans patients.
The assessment, seen by the Guardian and detailed in an 18 October report by the outlet, considered the impact of the guidance across protected characteristics and said practical constraints in hospitals could leave trans people waiting for a suitable space. It stated: “There may be delays and a greater risk of ‘corridor care’ for trans people with a negative impact on their physical health, mental health and overall wellbeing if side rooms are not available.”
It also raised concerns about discrimination and the risk of people being outed through where they are placed on a ward. The assessment said: “Trans people may fear and potentially experience discrimination by being ‘outed’ as trans through not being accommodated in a ward that aligns with their lived gender or being placed in a side room.”
The document warned hospitals may not have the capacity to provide side rooms when needed, “forcing trans people into the potentially distressing situation of being accommodated on wards aligned with their biological sex”. It added that trans people may potentially experience discrimination and that this could lead to them “avoiding accessing healthcare at all”.
What does the new NHS England guidance say?
NHS England has issued fresh guidance to trusts saying that access to single-sex wards, toilets and changing rooms should be determined by a person’s biological sex rather than their gender identity.
It says trans people should be “accommodated in line with their biological sex” while ensuring their clinical needs are met, and their “privacy, dignity and safety are maintained”, alongside other patients sharing their accommodation.
NHS England guidance can shape how trusts apply policies on privacy and dignity on wards, even where hospitals face different building layouts, bed pressures and side-room capacity.
What does the assessment say about reducing harm?
The impact assessment said negative impacts could be mitigated by ensuring clinical need was always prioritised, stating that decisions on where to place trans patients should be made on a “case-by-case basis”. The new NHS England guidelines were published on 15 October 2026, they bar trans people from facilities that match their gender identity, after a 2025 Supreme Court ruling on how “woman” and “sex” are interpreted in the Equality Act 2010. The new policy does not apply in A&E or intensive care.
