Manager Practice


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PRACTICES CAN DESCRIBE AWKWARD OR DIFFICULT ENCOUNTERS THAT WITH BETTER PREPARATION COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED


ALMOST ALL ”


DENTAL PRACTICE MANAGERS Many aspects of this guidance are relevant to managers of dental practices, particularly regarding records, patient confidentiality and ensuring staff are provided with training in equality and diversity. There may also be a possibility that endocrine treatments prescribed to trans patients have an impact on dental care and so patients must be supported to feel comfortable updating their medical history to ensure any impact can be monitored appropriately.


before disclosure of information “shows respect, and is part of good communication between doctors and patients”. Practices using referral software must ensure that any referrals are checked before sending to avoid an inadvertent breach.


SCREENING Before issuing a patient with a new NHS number there is a responsibility for the GP to discuss the implications of this with the patient. For example, a consequence for a female transitioning to a male is that they would no longer be invited for (potentially necessary) cervical screening. The GMC states that decisions about screening should be made with patients in the same way as any other decisions about their health and to refer to their guidance on consent for more information.


WWW.MDDUS.COM


TRAINING As an employer, the practice has a duty to ensure that all practice staff receive training on the requirements of the Equality Act. This includes understanding of the needs of trans people. In England, CQC regulations require “that service users must be treated with respect… having due regard to any relevant protected characteristics”. Often things go most publicly wrong


at reception and within our cases we see patterns of complaints arising where perhaps a member of staff has dealt badly with a call from a patient with a deep voice who identifies themselves as a female, or where they have called out a patient name as Mrs or Mr when the patient has expressed a preference for the other. Being aware of relevant legislation and


guidance should ensure your practice cares for transgender patients with sensitivity and understanding – but if members have any specific issues do not hesitate to call the MDDUS advice line.


Liz Price is a senior risk adviser at MDDUS


References 1 Good practice guidelines for the assessment and treatment of adults with gender dysphoria (RCPsych)


2 Advice for doctors treating transgender patients (GMC, March 2017)


3 Gender variance (RCGP Learning, May 2015) Also: Focus on gender incongruence in primary care (BMA, October 2016)


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