SEEN in Health

Welcome to SEEN in Health, the Sex Equality and Equity Network for NHS staff. We focus on the protected characteristic of sex. We're open to anyone who works in the NHS who shares our aims and values. Find out more or sign up for updates here seeninhealth.org

It is never acceptable for an NHS staff network to attempt to denigrate another NHS staff network. Whether or not you agree with the principles of that staff network, your personal opinions should not override your professionalism, or your requirement to foster good relations…

If you’re NHS staff (or if you know someone working in the NHS): “If NHS staff raised a concern about single-sex facilities, were they supported by their manager??”

Are you an NHS staff member who has been required to use mixed-sex changing rooms or facilities, or do you know of colleagues who have had this experience?

Impartiality is not optional❗️ 📣It is a legal and professional duty embedded in the NHS Constitution, Health and Social Care Acts, the Equality Act, and professional codes. 🫆 ✴️We at SiH commend Linzi Smith for her courage and integrity in holding a public body to account. Her…

The 1992 Workplace Regulations @h_s_e have mandated single-sex toilet provision for over three decades. It is deeply concerning that despite the clarity of the Supreme Court ruling & @EHRC interim guidance, @TorbaySDevonNHS finds it acceptable to publicly endorse staff using…

Every £1 invested in gynae and obstetrics provides an £11 return on investment. Investing in women’s health is common sense. As of April 2025, more than 580,000 women had been waiting longer than 18 weeks to see a consultant for their initial appointment. One area that clearly…

The EHRC consultation on its Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations, closes on *Monday* @ midnight If you haven’t responded yet PLEASE DO, it will affect NHS staff directly, at work & beyond. Here’s the link equalityhumanrights.com/equality/equal…

🤓Pop quiz In @NHSEmployers Men’s health guidance they refer to men as men. How do they refer to women?🤔 a) Women, of course b) People born to the female gender Shockingly, but sadly not surprisingly, despite @dhsc's Women's Health Strategy for England @NHSEmployers seem to be…

We are keen to understand who decides when @benjaminweil @guardian & @Nhsengland can use sex based language... The article talks about three types of men: 'Gay', 'Bi' and 'men who have sex with men' One type of woman: 'people with a womb and ovaries' #WeKnowWhatAWomanIs and so do…

This weekend we celebrated our 1st anniversary since launching last year. We continue to make good progress ensuring the protected characteristic of sex is not forgotten in the NHS healthcare setting #BeMoreSEEN

Have you raised a sex-based matter with a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian? If so, we’d like to hear about your experience, good or bad. Get in touch via the usual channel (for members), DM us or comment below.

If your employer is treating all its female employees unfairly by (eg) telling trans-identifying male colleagues that they can use the women's toilets or washing and changing facilities, that's something your union should take up with your employer.

So challenge the nonsense. Organise. Network. (Set up a Sex Equality and Equity Network.) Insist on your union's support. But try not to lose your job.

Have the past few weeks got you thinking? Why not expand your understanding by heading to the library? You can request books from your local or NHS library - we're spoilt for choice for great reads so here's the first of our recommended reading list (in no particular order). Let…