Declaration of compliance
We are proud to confirm that our hospitals are compliant with the requirements of same sex accommodation. We are 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.
Patients who are admitted to any of our hospitals will only share the room where they are cared for with members of the same sex. In addition 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 the best interests of the person e.g. where specialist skills or equipment are needed such as critical care units.
What does this mean for patients?
Patients admitted to our hospitals can expect to be provided with accommodation in a room that only accommodates people of the same sex. There will be same sex toilet and wash facilities nearby.
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 to ensure your privacy is maintained.
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 e.g. on your way to an x ray.
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.
The NHS will not turn patients away just because a "right-sex" bed is not immediately available.
How will we measure success?
Every day we will make an assessment of all our hospitals and review any incident where same sex accommodation has not been provided. Should this occur it will be rectified as soon as possible. This information will be reported to and monitored by senior management and Trust Board in conjunction with feedback from patient experience surveys.
Future plans
To date the Trust has invested in a number of projects to enhance privacy and dignity across it sites. Most recently we have redeveloped a ward on the Eastbourne site to increase the number of single rooms with en suite facilities. Following evaluation of the design it is our intention to expand this project on a rolling programme across both acute sites.
What do you do if you think you are in mixed sex accommodation?
If you have any concerns or queries please feel free to discuss this with the nurse in charge of your area or our Patient Advice and Liasion team.
