§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral answer of 10 November 1998,Official Report, column 141, whether the NHS Executive has issued guidance to NHS trusts only in accordance with the Secretary of State's assurance in the House on 28 April 1998, Official Report, column 134, that he would put a stop to the creation of any new mixed wards in NHS psychiatric units. [59643]
§ Mr. HuttonThe National Health Service Executive has recently issued guidance to health authorities and trusts about the elimination of mixed sex hospital accommodation, including psychiatric units. The guidance re-emphasises the importance of providing safe facilities for patients in hospital who are mentally ill and which safeguard their privacy and dignity. Guidance to the NHS on the use of capital allocations will ensure capital is invested to eliminate mixed sex accommodation.