§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if it is Government policy to reduce the number of mixed-sex wards in NHS hospitals in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [79392]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesRather than concentrate on the narrow issue of single sex accommodation, NHS Wales should address the wider and arguably more important area of privacy and dignity.
Some trust hospitals' existing washing and toilet facilities still fall short of the acceptable standards for meeting privacy and dignity, and all trusts are working towards this goal. In addition, trusts bring to the attention of all staff the importance of meeting patients' needs and wishes for privacy and dignity through their induction programmes.
Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the number of mixed-sex wards in NHS hospitals in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement. [79388]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesAn estimate of the number of mixed-sex wards in NHS hospitals in each local authority area could be made only at a disproportionate cost.
Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many patients are in mixed-sex wards in the Royal Gwent Hospital; [79393]
(2) how many mixed-sex wards there are currently in the Royal Gwent Hospital. [79394]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesOf the 33 wards at Royal Gwent hospital 29 wards, with 675 beds, are mixed sex. However each ward is made up of bays and each bay is single sex.
Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.