The NHS is “on track to virtually eliminate mixed-sex accommodation from hospitals across England”, Health Minister Ann Keen has announced following publication of a report by the NHS’s Delivering Same-Sex Accommodation Taskforce: “Delivering same-sex accommodation – the story so far”.
The report reveals that all Trust improvement schemes supported by the Department of Health’s (DH) £100 million “Privacy and Dignity Fund” will be completed by June 2010. Since January 2009 the report says over 200 Trusts have commissioned 1,157 schemes across nearly 400 sites. Improvement works have included: r over 2,300 new or refurbished toilets and bathrooms.
• 10,800 extra modesty curtains to ensure patient privacy within same-sex areas.
• over 14,000 new signs to help patients find same-sex facilities, such as toilets or bathrooms.
• 960 other building projects, such as women-only lounges, security doors, and reglazing windows with frosted glass.
• almost 700 new bed management systems to get patients to the right bed on first admission.
• over 1,200 education and training programmes.
Ann Keen added: “These schemes are not just a quick fix, and the transformations are not just focused on the physical environment. The works range from building improvements and new management processes through to training and communication programmes. These all contribute to the patient’s experience of care, and serve to ensure patients receive the privacy and dignity they deserve.”
