Gray blasted for being unable to say how many NHS boards have single-sex spaces

The Health Secretary has been criticised by opposition MSPs after failing to answer how many NHS boards have designated single-sex spaces for women.

Scottish Tory MSP Meghan Gallacher said she found it “really difficult” that Neil Gray was unable to answer “a really basic question”.

The minister told Parliament that the MSP’s question was not one for him but for individual health boards.

“This is a really basic question,” Ms Gallacher said. “I am finding it really difficult that the Cabinet Secretary cannot tell me today in the chamber how many NHS boards have single-sex spaces for women.

“Worse still, ministers have told Parliament committees that they have no clue whether hospitals and health boards in Scotland are following the law.

“That is about dignity. This is about women’s safety.”

Last month, equalities minister Kaukab Stewart told the equalities committee that she could not say “for a fact” that all hospitals were following the law on single-sex spaces.

It comes amid a tribunal against NHS Fife, brought forward by nurse Sandie Peggie who was suspended after objecting to sharing a changing room with a trans doctor.

Ms Gallacher urged the Health Secretary to “urgently write to all health boards in Scotland to find out what their policies on single-sex spaces for women are”.

Mr Gray said: “Of course, as I said at the outset, it is a matter for individual boards to, as it is for all employing organisations, ensure that they are complying with the law.

“We will continue to interact with boards to ensure that the guidance that has been produced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission can be is being maintained and we will keep Parliament updated on that progress.”

Labour MSP Carol Mochan said the Scottish Government had “repeatedly failed” to set out how it is ensuring the law around single-sex spaces is being followed.

She urged ministers to “take some responsibility” on the issue of single-sex spaces in public bodies.

Mr Gray said the Government expects “all relevant organisations” to comply with the law, including the Equality Act 2010 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

“That expectation to follow the rule of law is there and we would expect boards and other public organisations to adhere to it,” he said.