Midwives are receiving new instructions from the UK’s hospital trust relating to the use of English vocabulary.
Yes, now NHS staff will refrain from using terms such as breastfeeding as well as mothers and maternal. The shocking news raising plenty of eyebrows recently as many didn’t know what to make of it. Moreover, some questioned the sudden change in rules and why the authorities placed emphasis upon it.
Well, some believe it’s a positive step forward. And that’s because it relates to a new trans-friendly language policy.
But what are the possible replacements for such terms? In the same way, some mentioned what would be the penalty of disobeying the rule? Well, there’s a lot of controversies, to begin with. For that reason, we thought it would be interesting to see what experts have to say on the midwives’ matter. So let’s take a look!
Midwives and staff go viral after new NHS policy
It’s a policy that seems to be rocking plenty of people’s lives in the United Kingdom. Thanks to the NHS, midwives need to be extra careful in their daily communication. And that’s because a new policy in place prevents them from using certain terms.
But there’s no need to worry, or maybe you should because these terms are common everyday words. And some might even begin to question why they’re on the barred list in the first place.
Local media outlets confirmed how NHS members requested hospital staff to implement a new rule. Coming into effect in the near future, midwives need to find substitutes for words like ‘mothers or birthing parents.’ In the same way, they cannot use terms such as breastfeeding or even chest feeding. And just like that, there’s also a ban on the word maternal and paternal too.
New words with the same meanings
But wait, the list goes on. Instead of saying words like breastmilk, they need to say the words human milk or breast/chest milk. Other common options include milk from the feeding parent or the mother.
Brighton as well Sussex University Hospitals in the NHS Trust is making history by introducing such laws. They are quickly picking up speed to bring forward the new change in the British nation. This way, many will benefit from a gender-inclusive language policy. Currently, however, the rule is solely restricted to the department providing maternity services.
And clearly, that makes absolute sense. But wait, even the department’s name is undergoing a revamp too. Now, it will be referred to as ‘perinatal services.’
Critics respond to the new change
Other common changes included replacing words such as a woman with phrases like woman or person. Other options could include c0-parent or even second biological parents as well, depending on the circumstances put forward.
With so many changes in place and quite a few things to remember, a new policy document that made its way into the week also revealed how staff shouldn’t use any terms that pertain to motherhood. “They need to make it a point to add words like people alongside more inclusive forms of language.
Critics mentioned how the laws make so many people aware of the concepts relating to gender identity. And that is a major issue in today’s modern world. Let’s not forget how so many people suffer from issues like oppression as well as health inequality. And that’s why it makes even more sense.
With midwives and other birth workers on board, the NHS plans on focusing upon enhanced access and better health outcomes for minority groups. In this way, they’re working hard to protect both trans and non-binary individuals.
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