§ 19. Mr. Normantonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the growing volume of objection to the establishment of mixed wards in hospitals, he will issue a directive to all the health authorities to end this practice.
§ Mr. MoyleNo, Sir. Mixed wards have been in use in hospitals for some years. In mental illness hospitals they have been found to have positive advantage for many patients, and elsewhere they have advantages in terms of economy and efficiency. I would always expect appropriate standards of privacy to be maintained.