HealthManagement, Volume 13, Issue 3/2011

Fewer patients are suffering the indignity of staying in mixed-sex accommodation, according to new figures released. Since December 2010, when the monthly collection of mixedsex accommodation data was introduced, the number of breaches has dropped from 11,802 to 2,011 – a decrease of 83 percent.


In May 2011, hospitals reported that 2,011 patients were placed in mixedsex accommodation without any justification. This compares to 2,660 for April 2011 – a decrease of 24 percent. The data, published online at individual hospital level, also shows that:

  • 103 Acute Trusts (62 percent) reported zero sleeping breaches (compared to 59 percent in April 2011). 
  • 42 Acute Trusts reported a reduction in the number of breaches in May 2011.

Commenting on the statistics published today, Health Minister Simon Burns said: "Today's figures show that the tough action we have taken is having a sustained impact on reducing mixed-sex accommodation breaches. Greater transparency has now driven down breaches by more than 80 percent since December. I'd like to pay tribute to all the NHS staff across the country who have worked so hard to make this happen."


"However, there are still too many breaches. This is why hospitals face fines of 250 pounds for every breach, which can then be reinvested back into patient care." 

 

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