Equality and Diversity
Privacy and Dignity
Delivering Same-Sex Accommodation - Declaration of Compliance
We are proud to confirm that mixed sex accommodation has been eliminated in all our hospitals
Further information on our work to deliver same sex accommodation
Every patient has the right to receive high quality care that is safe, effective and respects their privacy and dignity. South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is committed to providing every patient with same sex accommodation, because it helps to safeguard their privacy and dignity when they are often at their most vulnerable.
We are proud to confirm that mixed sex accommodation has been eliminated in our trust at Samuel Johnson Hospital, Lichfield and at Sir Robert Peel Hospital, Tamworth.
Patients who are admitted to any of our hospitals will only share the room where they sleep with members of the same sex, and same sex toilets and bathrooms will be close to their bed area.
Sharing with members of the opposite sex will only happen by exception based on clinical need (for example in the day surgery and endoscopy suite at Sir Robert Peel Hospital. In these areas, staff will ensure the dignity of all patients is protected during periods of anaesthesia and recovery.)
What does this mean for patients?
Same sex-accommodation means:
- The room where your bed is will only have patients of the same sex as you
- Your toilet and bathroom will be just for your gender, and will be close to your bed area
It is possible that there will be both men and women patients on the ward, but they will not share your sleeping area. You may have to cross a ward corridor to reach your bathroom, but you will not have to walk through opposite-sex areas.
You may share some communal space, such as day rooms or dining rooms, and it is very likely that you will see both men and women patients as you move around the hospital (eg on your way to X-ray or the operating theatre).
It is probable that visitors of the opposite gender will come into the room where your bed is, and this may include patients visiting each other.
It is almost certain that both male and female nurses, doctors and other staff will come into your bed area.
If you need help to use the toilet or take a bath (eg you need a hoist or special bath) then you may be taken to a “unisex” bathroom used by both men and women, but a member of staff will be with you, and other patients will not be in the bathroom at the same time.
The NHS will not turn patients away just because a “right-sex” bed is not immediately available
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What are our plans for the future?
The PCT’s action plan to improve the environment at Sir Robert Peel includes updating of signage to bathroom areas and consideration of additional screening at the entrance to bed bay areas.
How will we measure success?
- 2010 PEAT Scores for South Staffordshire PCT Provider Services are:
| Hospital |
Environment |
Food |
Privacy and Dignity |
| Sir Robert Peel Hospital, Tamworth |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
| Samuel Johnson Hospital, Lichfield |
Good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
What do I do if I think I am in mixed sex accommodation?
if you think you are in mixed sex accommodation, please speak to a member of staff. We also want to know about your experiences. Please contact PALS at South Staffordshire PCT on (01543) 412929 if you have any comments or concerns.
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