§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how his Department is monitoring the performance of NHS trusts on meeting the patients charter standards on mixed-sex wards; [7537]
(2) how many NHS trusts are currently meeting the patients charter standard on mixed-sex wards. [7538]
§ Mr. HoramIt is for health authorities to monitor the performance of those hospitals with which they place contracts. Their annual patients charter reports should include information on hospitals' performance against the standards. In addition, the national health service executive has commissioned a survey in two regions on policies relating to mixed-sex wards and the suitability of wards for mixed-sex use. The results of that survey will be available shortly.