HL Deb 18 March 2004 vol 659 cc66-7WA
Baroness Noakes

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the following hospitals within the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells National Health Service Trust have any wards which are currently operated on a mixed-sex basis: (a) the Kent and Sussex Hospital, (b) the Pembury Hospital or (c) the Maidstone Hospital; and [HL1840]

What information the Department of Health collects about mixed-sex accommodation at each National Health Service trust. [HL1841]

Lord Warner

Compliance against the commitment for National Health Service trusts to eliminate mixed-sex accommodation is measured annually at trust level. Trusts are measured against three objectives:

  • To ensure that appropriate organisational arrangements are in place to secure good standards of privacy and dignity for hospital patients;
  • To achieve the Patient's Charter standard for segregated washing and toilet facilities across the NHS; and
  • To provide safe facilities for patients in hospitals who are mentally ill which safeguard their privacy and dignity.

The latest information shows that the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells National Health Service Trust is not entirely meeting the first two objectives in some wards at Pembury Hospital and at the Kent and Sussex Hospital. Maidstone Hospital is fully compliant with the objectives. However, the trust has taken action to address this through its clinical governance action plan and plans for capital investment.

Back to
Forward to