NHS Fines Loom Over Mixed Wards

Heavy fines are to be imposed on UK hospitals found in breach of rules over mixed sex accommodation in the NHS.

More than 11,000 patients were placed in mixed sex accommodation in hospitals providing NHS services in December, according to new data published by Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley.

The figures come as the Health Secretary announced that hospitals found in breach from April 2011 will be fined £250 for each patient affected and each day that they stay in mixed sex accommodation.

This is the first time that verified data on mixed sex accommodation breaches - where a patient is placed in mixed accommodation without any justification - has been collected and published, revealing the nature of the problem in English hospitals. The data shows that 11,362 patients were placed in mixed sex accommodation in December (out of an estimated 1.4m 'Finished Consultant Episodes') but just over half of hospitals who submitted data reported no breaches.

It also showed that 92% of all breaches reported took place in acute hospital trusts.

Commenting on the statistics the Health Secretary said: "For the first time we are publishing information that exposes the true state of mixed-sex accommodation in the NHS.

"The figures show an unacceptable level of breaches in which patient dignity has been compromised.

"Publishing these figures in itself revolutionises accountability to patients but that's just the start.

"By April, we expect every hospital to be capable of meeting the single sex accommodation standard.

"And so from 1st April we are introducing £250 fines for every time a hospital has concerns that a patient's dignity is not respected in this way.

"And we are increasing the number of single rooms in the NHS to ensure no patient suffers this indignity when it is unjustified," he said.

The majority of hospitals are now compliant in eliminating mixed sex accommodation and remaining hospitals have until 1 April 2010 to declare their compliance.

(BMcC/GK)