HC Deb 30 March 1995 vol 257 c767W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new proposals he has to reduce the numbers of mixed-sex wards in Welsh hospitals. [17350]

Mr. Richards

Hospitals are already required to provide services which take account of an individual's privacy and dignity, and I have told the NHS that the next edition of the patients charter, to be published later this year, will emphasise the need for the service to take better account of patients' preferences when arranging hospital accommodation.

To prepare the ground for the requirements of the new charter, I have asked the chairman of each health and NHS trust in Wales to develop proposals by the end of April for improving performance in this area.