Same sex accommodation
We are proud to confirm that the Trust has eliminated mixed sex accommodation from all of our Hospitals.
Every patient has the right to receive high quality care that is safe, effective and respects their privacy and dignity. The Trust is committed to providing every patient with same-sex accommodation, because it helps to safeguard their privacy and dignity when they are often at their most vulnerable.
We are proud to confirm that the Trust is compliant with same sex accommodation standards. Our aim is that all patients who are admitted to any of our hospitals will only share their room with members of the same sex, and that same sex toilets and bathrooms will be close to their bed area. Sharing with members of the opposite sex should only happen by exception, in the event of a life threatening emergency or where patients need constant observation (for example in the Intensive Care Unit, the Coronary Care Unit, or in the immediate post-operative recovery rooms).
Sharing accommodation with the opposite gender may occur, in certain areas in the Trust, where there has been agreement by all of the patients concerned and where the patients’ dignity is able to be maintained at all times. Examples of such sharing include, where patients are receiving day case treatments such as chemotherapy; where patients are having minor surgery to extremities such as eyes, feet, hands, where they are not required to undress; in the children’s ward, where children and young people prefer to be segregated according to age rather than gender.
What does this mean for patients?
Same sex accommodation means
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What are our plans for the future?
All new inpatient developments will be compliant with same-sex accommodation standards. Compliance with same-sex accommodation will continue to be monitored and reported Audits will continue to be carried out against privacy and dignity standards.
How will we measure success?
Success will be measured through improvement in our patient experience scores through in patient questionnaires and through the National Inpatient survey results. Success will also be measured through no instances of mixed sex accommodation, which will continue to be monitored by and reported to the Patient Experience Group and to the Board of Directors. Results of the Care Quality Commission's surveys are available on their website and progress of the Trust's actions against these surveys can be monitored through the Trust's Board papers on this site.
What do I do if I think I am in mixed sex accommodation?
We want to know about your experiences. Please contact a member of the ward staff in the first instance. Alternatively you can contact one of the Matron Team, PALs or the Patient Experience Officer if you have any comments or concerns.
How to contact us
Matron Team
Tel: +44(0)1926 495 321 ext 8118
PALS
Tel: +44(0)1926 495 321 ext 8020
Patient Experience
Tel: +44(0)1926 495 321 ext 4676
Further information
You can find out more about the same-sex accommodation programme at NHS Choices.