UK Government Acts on Sullivan Review to Address Risks in Sex and Gender Data Collection

The Health Secretary has halted NHS number changes for minors, following findings of clinical and safeguarding risks from conflating biological sex and gender identity in public data.

The Sullivan Review highlights systemic issues in conflating biological sex and gender identity in UK public data, risking patient safety, justice, and safeguarding.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has stopped the NHS practice of issuing new NHS numbers for minors changing their gender, citing safeguarding concerns.
The report calls for public bodies, including police forces, to record biological sex and gender identity as separate variables to ensure data accuracy.
Clinical risks identified include missed screenings for sex-specific conditions due to altered gender markers in NHS records.
The UK Government has committed to reviewing and implementing the report's recommendations across public services to improve data integrity and safety.