Tens of thousands of patients annually are still being placed in mixed sex accommodation without clinical justification, new data released by the Department of Health suggest.
The Department says figures listing the number of “breaches” reported by NHS organisations of the commitment to “virtually eliminate” mixed sex accommodation suggest data are not being captured or recorded consistently countrywide. NHS organisations’ estates also appear, in some instances, to be compliant with “virtual elimination” while continuing to place patients in mixed sex accommodation for operational reasons. In response Health Secretary Andrew Lansley last month announced “robust new steps” to ensure NHS organisations can be held to account for managing their beds and facilities so as to eliminate mixed sex accommodation where there is no clinical justification for it. From next January, routine reporting of “breaches” will be introduced on the basis of a consistent definition – “that mixed-sex accommodation will be eliminated, except where it is clearly in the overall best interests of the patient, or reflects their personal choice”. The data will also be published, so that poor-performing Trusts have “nowhere to hide”, and commissioners will be expected to apply sanctions to NHS organisations who declare a breach. The DH said: “The consistency of a defined ‘breach’ will help enforce common standards across the country, and the existing regime of sanctions will be strengthened.”
