NHS Advises Staff to Use Person-First Language in Patient Interactions

Guidance recommends referring to individuals as 'people with obesity' instead of 'obese people' to promote respectful communication

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance advising NHS staff to adopt person-first language when referring to patients.

The directive suggests terms like 'people with obesity' instead of 'obese people' and 'people with diabetes' rather than 'diabetics'.

This approach aims to emphasize the individual before their condition, promoting respectful and non-stigmatizing communication.

NICE emphasizes that conditions describe what a person has, not what a person is, and that diseases are treated, not people.

The guidance reflects a broader movement within healthcare to use inclusive language, aligning with initiatives by organizations such as Obesity UK and the British Dietetic Association, which advocate for person-first terminology to reduce stigma and improve patient engagement.

However, some critics argue that focusing on language may divert attention from more pressing issues within the healthcare system.

They express concerns that such directives could lead to unnecessary complexity in patient interactions.

Despite differing opinions, the guidance underscores an ongoing effort to foster a more inclusive and respectful environment within the NHS.