§ Lady Olga MaitlandTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress she has made with regard to reviewing the mixed-sex ward policy in favour of single-sex wards.
§ Mr. SackvilleA revised patients charter standard to be issued early next year will require hospitals to inform patients in advance when they will be accommodated on a mixed sex ward for non urgent treatment. The standard also expects hospitals to respect the wishes, wherever possible, of those patients who prefer to be cared for in a single-sex ward or a single-sex bay. Patients can also expect to have access to single-sex washing and toilet facilities while in hospital.
In some circumstances—for example, in an intensive care unit or an observation unit where specialist nurses are employed—single-sex accommodation may not be available.