NHS bans words 'mother', 'father', 'husband' and 'wife'

Current status: protests, please, to the Secretary of State, Patricia Hewitt, here. Although the absurdity of this is apt to leave one speechless, the only thing which will change officials' minds is the realisation that calling married couples 'partners', and refusing to acknowledge a child's mother and father as such, is itself deeply insulting.

From CFNews: National Health Service staff are being told to stop calling parents 'mother' or 'father' to avoid offending homosexual patients. The terms 'husband', 'wife' and 'married' are also effectively outlawed under anti-homophobia rules being rolled out across the NHS. Instead, doctors, nurses and support staff are urged to use the words 'guardian' or 'carers' when referring to parents, in particular when speaking to children who are patients or visitors. The diktat, which also recommends using pictures of homosexual couples in health leaflets and posters, was produced by NHS Scotland in collaboration with the homosexual group Stonewall and was funded by the Scottish Executive. It calls on hospital bosses to 'ensure all staff have an understanding of and use language that is inclusive of same-sex relationships' and contains a warning that workers who flout the ban may face disciplinary action.

In bleak language reminiscent of Soviet Russia, the booklet states: 'Resources will be expended on conflict if there is resistance to required change. ' The 52-page booklet, 'Good LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender] Practice In the NHS', states: 'the right way to communicate with lesbians, homosexual men, bisexuals and transgender people is an important part of delivering a modern health service for Scotland. Many remarks made by people that appear to be harmless or throw-away may assume only opposite-sex relationships are valid. This is demeaning for LGBT people and they may fear a negative reaction if the assumptions are challenged. ' The rulebook adds: 'LGBT people can and do have children - sexual orientation or gender identity has nothing to do with good parenting or good child care. When talking to children, consider using 'parents', 'carers' or 'guardians' rather than 'mother' or 'father'. ' The document also states: 'Posters with positive images of same-sex couples, alongside similar material depicting opposite-sex couples, should be displayed in all areas, eg, waiting areas, hospital wards'. The instructions are backed by Scotland's chief nursing officer, Paul Martin, who writes: 'I look forward to this guidance on Good LGBT Practice being taken on across all areas of the NHS. '