A Q&A with Lynn Andrews, Assistant
Director of Nursing and Patient Care at NHS East
Midlands
If you’re a patient in hospital or
visiting a friend or relative your main concern is immediate
treatment and a speedy recovery. You have told us that your
privacy and dignity is also important. This is why as part of
a privacy and dignity drive in our hospitals, NHS organisations in
the East Midlands are working hard to eliminate mixed-sex
accommodation and provide same-sex accommodation for patients.
Here Lynn Andrews, Assistant Director
of Nursing and Patient Care at NHS East Midlands, the Strategic
Health Authority, answers some of the most commonly asked questions
relating to same-sex accommodation:
What is meant by same-sex
accommodation?
Same-sex accommodation is where
sleeping areas, toilet and washing facilities are designated as
either men-only or women-only. This means that men and women
shouldn’t be in beds next to each other and toilets should be
clearly labelled for men’s and women’s use. Disabled toilets
and washrooms can be used by either men or women as they can
require specialist equipment or facilities.
Sleeping
facilities
Sleeping facilities in same-sex
accommodation can be provided in a number of ways including;
same-sex wards, where the whole ward is occupied by men or women
only; single rooms for one patient, or wards where men and women
are in separate bays within that ward. In this instance a
solid partition will be used as a privacy screen to separate men
and women.
Toilet and washing
facilities
Toilet and washing facilities should be
clearly labelled and easily accessible - ideally, either inside or
next to the ward, bay or room. Patients should not
pass through the same room as the opposite sex or use toilet
and washing facilities designated for use by the opposite
sex.
Why is same-sex accommodation
so important?
Going into hospital can be a worry and
we understand patients are obviously anxious about the procedures
they’re having. But you have also told us that being in mixed-sex
accommodation can be uncomfortable, compromising your privacy and
dignity at a time when you may already be feeling vulnerable.
The most common concerns include physical exposure, being in
an embarrassing situation or other patients overhearing sensitive
conversations. It is for these reasons that NHS organisations
in the East Midlands are making excellent progress towards
providing same-sex accommodation and improving the experiences of
patients.
When admitted to an NHS
hospital within the East Midlands what changes could I
see?
You should know that every effort is
being made to provide same-sex accommodation. A member of
staff can help put your mind at ease whether you’re a patient or if
you’re concerned about a friend or relative.
Same-sex sleeping, toilet and washing
facilities should be clearly shown via new signage which is going
up in many of the region’s hospitals. New bathrooms and
toilet facilities are being installed providing more
facilities. Changes to wards include the use of privacy film,
full height partitions and the installation of doors on open
bays.
Sometimes
there will be situations where there
is no alternative to men and women sharing facilities, for instance
where patients need urgent or highly specialised care such as
intensive care. This is because your care is paramount and
our first priority is getting you better. We know from
speaking to patients that you understand reasons why sharing
facilities may happen. If this is the case, then staff on the
ward will explain why and when your move to same-sex accommodation
is possible.
While
there is still some work to be done, the vast majority of our
hospitals have already made good progress toward providing same-sex
accommodation. This is to ensure that all our patients have
the best possible experience while in our care.
What can I do to find out if I
will have same-sex accommodation?
If you’re
about to be admitted to hospital and you want to confirm that your
accommodation will be same-sex, please call the hospital’s
admissions department or ask a member of staff.
