§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to ensure a choice between single sex and mixed wards for all patients of NHS hospitals; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleIt is for individual hospitals to decide in the light of local conditions whether, and if so in what circumstances, mixed sex wards should be used. A new standard in the revised and expanded patients charter to be issued in the new year will expect patients to be told in advance if they are to be treated in mixed sex wards. This will allow them to raise any objections with the 917W hospital which will, where possible, take account of their views.