Around 95% of Trusts confirm that they have virtually eliminated mixed-sex accommodation from hospitals across England, Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced.
This follows an intensive Government drive and a £100 million “Privacy and Dignity Fund” set up by the Department last January to help Trusts improve their hospital environments and patient privacy and dignity. Of the remaining 5% of Trusts that are yet to confirm they have virtually eliminated mixed-sex accommodation, the majority have indicated that they will have clear action plans in place to address the situation. Any Trust that fails to provide action plans will be subject to financial sanctions, as outlined in the 2010-2011 NHS Operating Framework. The Department of Health also recently launched a series of design concepts to improve the hospital environment and enhance privacy and dignity for patients. This includes:
• A new patient gown – designed to preserve patient dignity.
• A Bed Pod – which creates a private, patientcontrolled bed environment.
• A capsule washroom – to rapidly refit wards to create single sex toilet and washing facilities.
• Novel Screening Systems – to enhance privacy and dignity by providing screens that can be locked and help prevent conversations being overheard.
• Flexible Signage Systems – to allow staff to designate same-sex areas.
