§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she will direct that health authority purchasers must ensure that women who are admitted to psychiatric hospitals are guaranteed care on a women-only ward if they request it.
§ Mr. BowisOur advice to health authorities contained in the "Mental Illness Key Area Handbook", copies of which are available in the Library, is that one of women's particular concerns is the choice of a single sex ward or single sex area. In addition the patients charter requires health authorities to provide services which respect patients' privacy, dignity and religious and cultural beliefs.