Delivering same sex accommodation
All providers of NHS funded care are expected to, and have made significant progress, in eliminating mixed-sex accommodation, except where it is in the overall best interest of the patient. NHS B&NES is committed to increasing patients' privacy and improving dignity when patients access all NHS services in the area.
Eliminating mixed sex accommodation
Community hospitals across Bath and North East Somerset have eliminated mixed sex accommodation in line with nationally set standards. These standards mean that patients will only have to share sleeping accommodation with the opposite sex when there are clinical reasons to justify this, for example in intensive care areas.
Therefore patients who are admitted to St Martin's Hospital or Paulton Memorial Hospital should take comfort that their sleeping area will only be shared with members of the same sex. Same sex toilets and bathrooms are also provided - close to patients' bed area.
How will we measure success?
We will monitor the use of our in-patient accommodation and reports will be made to our Committee on our continued compliance with this commitment. Any failures to comply with this will be reported immediately to the appropriate Divisional Director and a report on the reasons for failure will be prepared and presented to the next Committee meeting.
How to raise a complaint
If you, a family member or friend think these standards have not been maintained you should contact our PALS and Complaints Service:
Patient Advice and Liaison Service, NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Trust Headquarters, St Martin’s Hospital Clara Cross Lane. Bath. BA2 5RP
Exceptions
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 treatment rooms).
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 of special bath) then you may be taken to a “unisex” bathroom used by both men and women, but a member of staff with 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.