London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

'Breast milk' is now 'human milk': UK hospital trust adopts gender-neutral language in MATERNITY unit to fight 'health inequality'

'Breast milk' is now 'human milk': UK hospital trust adopts gender-neutral language in MATERNITY unit to fight 'health inequality'

Even as the UK's National Health System (NHS) suffers the world's highest Covid-19 death rate, one of its hospital trusts has found time to instruct staffers to use gender-neutral language so transgender people won't be offended.

The Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust told maternity unit workers on Monday that it was launching the UK's first language guidelines "supporting trans and non-binary birthing people." That means doctors, nurses and midwives will heretofore refer to a "birthing parent" rather than "mother." And there will be no more "breast milk"; rather, the accepted term is now "human milk."


"We recognise the importance of providing inclusive, respectful perinatal care to all pregnant women and people," the trust said in its announcement.

A "woman" should now be referred to as "woman or person." A "father" is now called a "co-parent" or "second biological parent." Words such as "maternal" or "maternity" are avoided in various ways, such as changing "maternal consent" to "informed consent" and "maternity care" to "perinatal care." The word "breastfeeding" can be replaced with "chestfeeding."

"Gender identity can be a source of oppression and health inequality," the trust said. "We are consciously using the words 'woman' and 'people' together to make it clear that we are committed to working on addressing health inequalities for all those who use our services."

The new terminology will be used in documents and other communications, such as staff meetings. In one-on-one interactions with patients and other individuals, language should reflect the gender identity of the individual.

Some social media users roasted the initiative as "ridiculous" and a way to insult everyone to avoid offending transgender people. "Seems lockdown has turned people mad," said Ghanem Nuseibeh, a London management consultant and anti-extremism campaigner.


Others critics called out the hospital for having its priorities misplaced. “Good to know my local hospital is wasting money on this nonsense instead of treating sick people,” an apparent supporter of UK PM Boris Johnson wrote.


There were also those who embraced the change, praising the hospital for standing its ground.

“Keep up the phenomenal work - persevering for a progressive & inclusive NHS. Such important & valuable work. Us real feminists are overjoyed,” a self-identified “proud feminist” tweeted.



Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×