§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement indicating what guidance the Scottish Office has issued to Scottish health boards in relation to the operation of mixed-sex wards in Scottish hospitals.
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§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 20 March 1995]: The Scottish hospital planning notes draw together the best current knowledge of appropriate space, performance and cost criteria for health care needs. This guidance also provides advice on the grouping of beds in wards. It emphasises that careful consideration is needed when planning for accommodation within a range of single and multi-bed rooms. The position is being further reviewed.
The patients charter, published in September 1991, makes clear that patients have a right to be treated with dignity and respect and, in particular, with respect for their privacy.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional funding has been made available by the Scottish Office to Scottish health boards to phase out the operation of mixed-sex wards.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 20 March 1995]: The allocation of resources to accommodation within hospitals falls within the financial freedoms available to NHS trusts.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many mixed-sex wards have operated in each health board in Scotland for each of the last five financial years.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 20 March 1995]: This information is not held centrally.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish health boards relating to the suitability of mixed-sex wards.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 20 March 1995]: None.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what rights exist under the patients charter for patients to object to being placed in a mixed-sex ward.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 20 March 1995]: While there are no specific rights at present under the patients charter in Scotland in respect of mixed-sex wards, the charter does state that patients have a right to expect that they will be treated with dignity and respect and, in particular, with respect for their privacy.