NHS patients are being asked to choose from 159 religions, 12 genders and ten sexual preferences to attend hospital appointments, it has been reported.

An online system called MyChart is being used to register patients for appointments at London hospitals, but could deter less tech savvy users, it has been warned.

Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, a campaign group for the over 60s, said ‘People will feel obliged to answer all the questions so that there are no obstacles to them getting an early appointment, but this questionnaire is more complex and intrusive in some ways than the Census.’

Critics have called the survey ‘complex’ and ‘intrusive’, while others have labelled it ‘bizarre’ – with questions said to include whether someone is a Goddess or Druid.

Lottie Moore, from the conservative think tank policy exchange, told The Telegraph that NHS Trusts ‘must stop playing identity politics and start prioritising patient dignity, safety and privacy’.

An online system called MyChart is being used to register patients for appointments at London hospitals

‘Providing so many dubious identity options will likely be to the detriment of those without English as a first language and the elderly,’ Ms Moore said.

The system was rolled out by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in October.

It is not compulsory to answer all the questions, but if patients do not they will be prompted to when they sign up for their next appointment. 

Patients’ campaigners have also raised concerns about how the information is used. 

Some 160 million patients around the world are said to use the MyChart system, which is run by US-based health software firm Epic. 

The software allows patients to see information like their medical notes and appointment history.

MailOnline has contacted Epic, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Trust and King’s College Hospital Trust for comment.