Every patient has the right to receive high quality care that is safe, effective and respects their privacy and dignity. Barnsley Hospital is committed to providing every patient with same sex accommodation, because it helps to safeguard their privacy and dignity when they are at their most vulnerable.

We are fully compliant with the single sex accommodation requirements.

Sharing with members of the opposite sex will only happen by exception based on clinical need (for example where patients need specialist equipment in critical care areas) however even in such circumstances it is our stated intent to minimise as far as possible the risk of this occurring.

What does this mean for patients?

Other than in the circumstances set out above, patients admitted to Barnsley Hospital can expect the following

Same sex-accommodation means:

• The room where the patient’s bed is will only have patients of the same sex as you
• The toilet and bathroom will just be for their gender, and will be close to the bed area

It is possible that there will be both men and women patients on the ward, but they will not share sleeping areas.

Patients may have to cross a ward corridor to reach the bathroom, but they will not have to walk through opposite-sex areas.

Patients may share some communal space, such as day rooms or dining rooms, and it is very likely that they will see both men and women patients as you move around the hospital (eg 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 the patient’s 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 the patient’s bed area.

If the patient needs help to use the toilet or take a bath (eg you need a hoist or special bath) then they may be taken to a “unisex” bathroom used by both men and women, but a member of staff will be with them, and other patients will not be in the bathroom at the same time.

Barnsley Hospital continuously monitors all areas of the trust to maintain compliance.

On medical and cardiac wards, monitors and telemetry units have been purchased to track patients.

Operational guidance has been produced to help staff know about and deliver the requirements of single sex accommodation. This document also helps staff to understand the procedures for following when a potential breach of compliance is emerging due to care requirements.

Commitment

The Trust is committed to dignified care, one of the strands of which is delivering single sex accommodation. We will continue to provide this and will work hard to make sure all patients are treated with dignity and respect at all times.

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

We want to know about your experiences. Please contact our Patient Advice and Complaints team.