Official figures from NHS England show the government’s strict rules against doing so were broken nearly 5,000 times in February alone. NHS leaders voiced concerns over the high number of breaches and warned that care that was “unthinkable a decade ago is at risk of becoming the new normal”.
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said patients were left feeling humiliated and at risk, adding: “The use of mixed-sex wards has gone through the roof under the Tories.” The government outlawed mixed wards in the NHS in 2010. Under the guidance, patients should not share wards overnight, share bathroom facilities or have to walk through areas occupied by patients of the opposite sex to get to the toilets.
When hospitals breach this they are required to report it to the NHS. Only in very few circumstances is mixed accommodation allowed – such as urgent admission to critical care.
Despite promises more than a decade ago to eliminate mixed wards, The Independent has found:
- 4,811 reported breaches in February, up from 3,789 last November
- Nurses warning “sky-high breaches” are the tip of the iceberg
- Evidence that patients are suffering sexual assaults while on mixed mental health wards
Breaches are almost as high as the 4,929 breaches seen in February 2020, when Covid was ravaging the NHS and just weeks before ministers announced a nationwide lockdown to protect the health service, and the 4,938 seen last January.
Under the guidance, no mental health units should have mixed wards. However, earlier this year, The Independent revealed the practice is widespread, with more than 500 sexual assaults reported across almost half of the NHS mental health hospitals in England.
この記事は The Independent の April 29, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Independent の April 29, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Strong PGA field as McIlroy aims to turn back the years
Rory Mcllroy arrives at the scene of his last major triumph in excellent form as he bids to end his 10-year major drought.
Ange angry that fans choose envy over the glory game
It was one of the moments of the season, one that people will talk about for years, but might well have been followed by something that said much more about the modern history of Tottenham Hotspur.
United edge win despite error-strewn performance
If this proves Erik ten Hag’s farewell to Old Trafford, at least it summed up some of the finest elements of the Dutchman’s fraught second season at Manchester United.
HIGHWAY TO HELL
Director George Miller unleashes carnage at every turn in kinetic Mad Max prequel 'Furiosa'
Every househunter needs a Kirstie or Phil of their own
Buying a home is one of life’s most stressful experiences and most of us are out there flying blind. Helen Coffey asks why we can’t all have a crack team to help us make decisions
'Calling in unhappy' could be a game-changer at work
A supermarket chain in China will allow its staff to take up to 10 ‘unhappy days' a year. Bring it on
I don't feel safe flying on a Boeing – can I avoid them?
I am travelling to Las Vegas in July and have made a conscious effort to fly on British Airways with an Airbus A350 rather than Virgin Atlantic's Boeing 787.
'For women, it's like living in a country ruled by apes'
Following last week's firebombing of two lesbian couples in Buenos Aires, Anna Hart speaks to Argentinian women who fear the rise of violence under the new president Javier Milei
Israeli defence chief rejects PM's plan for post-war Gaza
Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant has publicly hit out at prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans for a post-war Gaza – vowing to oppose any long-term military rule by Israel.
Trump 'ready to rumble' as he accepts debate challenge
US president Joe Biden trolled Donald Trump about his ongoing criminal hush-money trial as he dared his rival to go head-tohead with him in a presidential debate.