Tens of thousands of patients are still being placed in mixed sex accommodation every year without clinical justification, the Department of Health reported. The DH issued a reminder that mixed-sex accommodation must be eliminated – except where it is clearly in the overall best interests of the patient or where this reflects their personal choice.
However, from January 2011, routine reporting of breaches will be introduced. The data will be published so that poor performing Trusts have “nowhere to hide”, the DH warned. Commissioners will also be expected to apply sanctions to those NHS organisations who declare a breach. Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, commented: “Patients should not suffer the indignity of being cared for in mixed sex accommodation. I am determined to put an end to this practice, where it is not clinically justified. In the future, NHS organisations will have clear standards, spelling out when they should report a breach. “Where NHS organisations fail to meet this standard, we will let the public know that they have failed and we will strengthen the fines which may apply. Patients and members of the public will be able to see which services continue to allow patients to suffer the indignity of mixed sex accommodation.” Chief Nursing Officer, Christine Beasley, said: “Protecting the privacy and dignity of patients by eliminating mixed sex accommodation must be a priority for the NHS. Driving this change will be the publishing of statistics on mixed sex accommodation breaches by NHS Trusts. This measure will allow patients to make better informed decisions about their care.”
