§ 20. Mr. BrandrethTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received regarding mixed-sex wards in NHS trust hospitals; and if she will make a statement. [27731]
§ Mr. SackvilleWe have received about 100 representations in recent months. Under the patients charter, patients have the right before entering hospital for a planned treatment to know whether that treatment is to be provided in a mixed-sex ward, so that their preferences can be made known and, if possible, catered for. In addition, all patients can now expect single-sex washing and toilet facilities. How much further national health service trusts can go in meeting individual patient preferences is a matter for local determination in the light of local circumstances.