Mixed sex wards used record 5,000 times in a month despite ban

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"The use of mixed sex wards in hospitals in England has soared to the highest number in a single month for nearly 15 years despite health secretary Wes Streeting slamming the practice under the last Conservative government. Official figures from NHS England show strict rules against their use were breached more than 5,000 times in January, for the first time since 2011."

"The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) hit out at the practice, which it said was undignified and unsafe as it called for urgent investment to increase both bed capacity and the ability for people to be treated at home and away from overwhelmed hospitals. In response to inquiries from The Independent the government said it was not acceptable for patients to share sleeping accommodation with members of the opposite sex and it was reminding hospital trusts robustly on this point."

Journalism teams investigate reproductive rights, climate change and Big Tech, producing investigations and documentaries and relying on donations to send reporters to developing stories while keeping reporting free of paywalls. Donations fund sending journalists to speak to both sides of stories and support access to quality journalism paid for by those who can afford it. Mixed-sex hospital wards in England experienced over 5,000 breaches in January, the highest monthly total since 2011. October recorded 4,801 breaches, higher than the 3,953 in October 2023. The Royal College of Nursing called the practice undignified and unsafe and urged urgent investment in bed capacity and home treatment. The government said mixed-sex sleeping accommodation is unacceptable and reminded hospital trusts of the rule.

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