Minister praises hospital trusts over single sex wards (From Wirral Globe)

Minister praises hospital trusts over single sex wards

3:43pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in News

WIRRAL and Clatterbridge are among a record 23 hospital trusts in the North West which had no mixed sex accommodation breaches in August, according to data published today by the Department of Health.

In August 2012 there were only 22 breaches - occasions where patients were unjustifiably placed in mixed sex accommodation - in the North West, down from 2,783 in December 2010 when the data was first collected.

Health Minister Dan Poulter said: "Nobody should have to suffer the indignity of mixed sex accommodation.

“Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff in the North West and the Government’s rigorous monitoring system, the number of patients placed in mixed sex accommodation has reduced nationally by 99 per cent.

“Any hospital in the North West still placing patients in mixed sex accommodation will face fines of £250 per patient, per day for every breach.

"I am pleased that we are making good progress and improving dignity for patients.”