Same-sex accommodation

RJAH is pleased to confirm that we are compliant with the Government’s requirement to eliminate mixed-sex accommodation, except when it is in the patient’s overall best interest, or reflects their personal choice. Every patient has the right to receive high quality care that is safe, effective and respects their privacy and dignity.

We have the necessary facilities, resources and culture to ensure that patients who are admitted to 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 when clinically necessary, where patients require specialist equipment as in our high dependency unit or recovery unit, or when patients actively choose to share (for instance Alice Ward, our Children’s ward).

If our care should fall short of the required standard, we will report it. We will also set up an audit mechanism to make sure that we do not misclassify any of our reports. We will publish the results of that audit at the Quality and Safety Committee.

What does this mean for patients?

Other than in the circumstances set out above, patients admitted to RJAH can expect to find the following:

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 members of the opposite sex 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 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 (e.g. 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.

What do I do if I think I am in mixed sex accommodation?

We want to know about your experiences. Please contact the Ward Manager or Matron for the area in which you are being cared for, or the Clinical Governance Department on telephone 01691 404127.