§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the standard for segregated washing and toilet facilities in the NHS was when the Patients' Charter was first published; what the standard is now; and how many mental health trusts have met this standard. [178749]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Patient's Charter, published in 1995, states that
1280WIn all cases, you can expect single sex washing and toilet facilities".In 1997, the Department set three objectives to support the delivery of single-sex accommodation, designed to deliver single-sex sleeping accommodation, segregated bathroom and washing facilities and safe facilities for the mentally ill. The objectives apply to all National Health Service organisations providing inpatient accommodation.
The objective in relation to bathroom and washing facilities requires trusts to:
achieve fully the Patient's Charter standard for segregated washing and toilet facilities across the NHS".By December 2003, 97 per cent. of all NHS trusts had met this standard. Compliance with the standard is measured at a national level rather than by trust type as mental health services are not provided exclusively by mental health trusts.
The small number of NHS trusts who have yet to achieve the objective have hospital development works underway, whose completion will bring them to the required standard.
§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the organisational arrangements which(a) NHS trusts and (b) mental health trusts are expected to have in place to ensure good standards of privacy and dignity for patients; and how many mental health trusts have these arrangements in place. [178750]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonIn 1997, the Department set three objectives to support the delivery of single-sex accommodation, designed to deliver single-sex sleeping accommodation, segregated bathroom and washing facilities and safe facilities for the mentally ill. The objectives apply to all national health service organisations providing in-patient accommodation.
The organisational arrangements which NHS trusts are expected to have in place were published in August 1998 in the form of an audit checklist. The audit checklist provides a framework which can be adapted to suit the needs of each individual trust according to their particular circumstances. The audit checklist is contained in "Enhancing privacy and dignity: achieving single sex accommodation", a copy of which is available in the Library.
By December 2003, 99 per cent., of all NHS trusts had met the objective to ensure that appropriate organisational arrangements are in place to ensure good standards of privacy and dignity for hospital patients. Compliance with the standard is measured at a national level rather than by trust type as mental health services are not provided exclusively by mental health trusts.
The small number of NHS trusts who have yet to achieve the objective have hospital development works under way, whose completion will bring them to the required standard.