NHS Trust makes call to ban sayings like the 'blind leading the blind'

An NHS Trust has reportedly ordered its staff to avoid using phrases such as 'the blind leading the blind' and 'deaf to reason' over fears they may be considered offensive.

Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust, which is one of the largest NHS Trusts in the UK and has 8,000 employees, has allegedly issued the guidance in a 28-page language guide which was published online by equality bosses last week.

The Sun reported that doctors and nurses have been urged not to use phrases such as 'the blind leading the blind' for fear of upsetting people who have lost their sight. 

And they have been asked not to refer to stubborn colleagues as 'deaf to reason', as it may offend those who are hard of hearing. 

Tory MP Sir John Hayes told the newspaper: 'This is another extraordinary example of the NHS, who should be caring for the sick, spending time and money on ludicrous trivia.

He added: 'Any money diverted from treatment displaces investment in what people expect the NHS to deliver, which is first-class treatment.'

Read More

NHS hospital tells staff to avoid using the phrase 'born male or female' to avoid causing offence

Free Speech Union boss Toby Young said it was 'absurd', adding that offensive words and phrases 'naturally fall out of use' over time as the English language changes.

He added there is 'no need for language cops to police its usage'. 

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

It comes after an NHS hospital urged its staff to avoid using the term 'born male or female' in a bid to avoid causing upset among the LGBTQ+ community.

It was reported last week that James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth has suggested NHS staff use the phrase 'assigned female/male at birth' as it 'accurately depicts' when someone is born.

In their new guidance titled 'Celebrating Pride', the trust included a glossary of various definitions to ensure staff were using the correct LGBTQ+ terminology.

Read More

NHS is 'considering reversing its guidance on terms like 'chestfeeding' under plans to give hospitals clear language based on biological sex'

However at the end of the detailed definitions, a brief included all the phrases and terms staff should not say in a bid avoid causing upset among patients.

They advised staff not to say terms such as 'ladies and gentleman', 'both genders', 'opposite sexes', and other titles such as 'mailman', 'fireman', and 'policeman'.

The booklet suggests that using binary language could exclude all genders, with the use of 'both sexes' reinforcing the notion that there are only two genders.

The guidance also urged employees not to use the term homosexual as it suggests a medical diagnosis 'or a discomfort with gay/lesbian people'.

The James Paget document, which appears on the hospital's website, was first published in 2021 but was reviewed last June. 

MailOnline previously approached James Paget Hospitals for comment.