§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the policy of her Department in respect of allowing women when in an NHS hospital to be treated in a women-only ward if that is their wish.
§ Dr. MawhinneyDistrict health authorities and general practitioner fundholders are expected to assess the needs of the populations they serve in reaching purchasing decisions, and to reflect these in their contracts with hospitals. The privacy and dignity of all patients is assured through the patients charter, and hospitals should take account of patients' wishes wherever it is practicable to do so.