§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which trusts have not conformed to the standard of four beds per ward. [15047]
§ Mr. HuttonThere is no absolute standard that states that trusts must have a maximum of four beds in a ward bay. National Health Service Estates issues guidance on design of wards and departments, and this suggests a number of possible configurations, including multi-bed bays and single rooms. Health Building Note 4 states
a preference is emerging for a four-bedded room with designated sanitary facilities for each bedroombut this does not rule out other configurations.A variety of factors govern the layout of any particular ward, including patient preference and clinical caseload and mix. Whatever the layout, it is important that privacy and dignity are maintained. The Department has issued guidance in this area, including "Essence of Care" benchmarks which support staff in developing best practice in fundamental nursing care. Privacy and dignity is one of these benchmarks.
We have issued £40 million this year to help eliminate Nightingale wards for older people. This will involve refurbishment of existing wards to smaller bed bays, with a number of single rooms.