NHS Hampshire

Mixed-sex accommodation becoming a thing of the past

More patients than ever before are able to stay in single-sex wards in hospitals across Southampton, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. New data published by the Department of Health recently (January 20, 2012) show that in December 2011 hospitals across the area reported that no patients stayed in mixed sex accommodation without clinical justification. This compares to just over 600 patients during December 2010.

Protecting the privacy and dignity of patients is a priority for the NHS, and across England a record 73 per cent of hospitals are now reporting zero cases, compared with 52 per cent this time last year when new monitoring systems were introduced. Figures show that unjustified stays in mixed sex accommodation have fallen by 11,035 in just one year since December 2010 - a decrease of 94 per cent.

“It is great news that our hospitals are able to ensure that most patients get to stay in single-sex accommodation unless they need to be treated in mixed-sex wards for clinical reasons,” said Sarah Elliott, director of nursing for the Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth PCT Cluster. “Single sex accommodation is an essential part of someone’s experience of staying in hospital and helps to ensure patients are treated with privacy and dignity. I am very proud that all of our local hospitals are able to ensure that patients who need to be admitted will not be sharing their ward with those of the opposite sex.”

Contact us

NHS Hampshire
Headquarters
Omega House
112 Southampton Road
Eastleigh, Hants SO50 5PB

Telephone: 0238 062 7444
Fax: 0238 064 4789
Email: yourviewscount@hampshire.nhs.uk

Find us