§ Mr. CongdonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to review the provision of single-sex wards in hospitals.
§ Mr. SackvilleHealth authorities and national health service trusts must make their own decisions about the use of single sex-wards, but should ensure that all patients are treated in such a way that their dignity, privacy and religious and cultural beliefs are respected. Under a new standard in the revised and expanded patients charter to be published in the new year, patients can expect to be told in advance if they will be treated in a mixed-sex ward. This will allow them to discuss their worries with the hospital, which will, where possible, take account of their views.