Non-PC.Political correctness has eroded our freedom of speech. In the UK, political correctness came to the fore in the 1980s when it sought to protect minority groups from offensive language, attitudes and discrimination as well as banish stereotypes. In recent times it has influenced language, ideas and behaviour to the extent that only one viewpoint can be tolerated, ie that of the politically correct majority, and as such has seriously undermined our freedom of expression. The government has pandered to the PC brigade, who more often than not fail to consult the minority groups they claim to support.The NHS has not escaped the culture of political correctness. Equality and diversity are the latest NHS buzzwords. Anti-discrimination laws have been in place since the 1970s and they were updated in 2003, so much of the new material covers old ground. Furthermore, the PC brigade has failed to understand that the best way to prevent discrimination is to stop looking for it at every turn. For example, why should NHS employees and patients be asked to tick boxes that request information about sexuality or ethnic origin? Highlighting differences is a form of discrimination in itself.The pervasiveness and absurdity of political correctness was highlighted recently when the NHS suspended a nurse for offering to pray for an elderly patient. In this case, the NHS discriminated against the nurse on the basis of her religious beliefs whilst at the same time claiming to respect equality and diversity. Clearly the PC brigade within the NHS believes that spiritual needs are at odds with its equality and diversity policy; hospital chaplains beware. The only PC the NHS should concern itself with is patient care. The NHS should not waste resources pandering to political correctness when all that is required is a little more common sense.

Question: NHS patients must declare their sexuality by ticking a box.
Options:
A. true, B. false, C. uncertain
Answer: "B"