Mixed-sex NHS accommodation ‘on its way out’

Mixed-sex accommodation in NHS hospitals is on track to be virtually eliminated, according to Ann Keen.

The health minister made her comments following the publication of a Taskforce report on the matter, which is entitled Delivering Same-Sex Accommodation – The Story So Far and highlights trust improvement schemes that are underway.

Every trust is expected to be able to provide same-sex accommodation for patients and any that are unable to do so by 2010 will be subject to monetary sanctions.

Ms Keen said: “In, January we announced that mixed-sex accommodation would no longer be tolerated in the NHS, unless clinically justified. Since then, we have driven through intensive changes.”

Keith Pearson and Kathryn Riddle, joint chairs of the delivering same-sex accommodation taskforce, stated that the activity that has taken place on the drive to eliminate same-sex accommodation has been “immense”.

In recent days, Ms Keen said the NHS has made good progress in improving services for patients with kidney disease in the last five years.