Same-sex accommodation declaration
The NHS Constitution states that all patients have the right to privacy and to be treated with dignity and respect.
Providing same-sex accommodation is an effective way of helping to achieve this goal. It aims to give all patients the best possible experience while they are in hospital.
What do we mean by mixed-sex and same-sex accommodation?
Mixed-sex accommodation is where men and women have to share sleeping areas, or toilet and washing facilities.
Same-sex accommodation is where specific sleeping areas, toilets, and washing facilities are designated as either men-only or women-only.
Same-sex accommodation can be provided in:
Same-sex wards, where the whole ward is occupied by men or women only
Single rooms
Mixed wards, where men and women are in separate bays or rooms.
Toilet and washing facilities should be easily accessible and, ideally, either inside or next to the ward, bay or room. Patients should not need to go through sleeping areas or toilet and washing facilities used by the opposite sex to access their own.
Why is same-sex accommodation so important?
It is clear from what patients tell us that being in mixed-sex accommodation can compromise their privacy and dignity at a time when they may already be feeling vulnerable.
The most common concerns include:
physical exposure
being in an embarrassing or threatening situation
noise
the possibility of other patients overhearing conversations about their condition.
Self-declaration statement about same-sex accommodation
Delivering single sex accommodation – declaration of compliance
East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) confirms that it is working towards eliminating mixed sex accommodation unless in the overall best interest of the patient, or reflects their personal choice.
Sharing with members of the opposite sex will only happen where clinically necessary (for example where patients need specialist equipment such as in the cardiac wards, Intensive care units or stroke wards), or where patients actively choose to share.
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.
There are also several single rooms on every ward. These are normally prioritised for patients who are infectious, or are prone to infection. In addition, they are used for patients who are very sick or who have a greater need of privacy, or may be at the end of their life.
Patients may share some communal spaces on the ward (e.g. dayrooms, dining areas).
Children’s wards
Accommodation of children and young people (CYP) is based on individual clinical, psychological and social needs.
The following factors may take priority over sex considerations:
clinical need
infectious status
age
stage of development
safeguarding requirements.
This approach is shared with
The CYP and their carers will be notified of this approach before admission (where the CYP is able to understand). If a CYP does not feel that the accommodation offered provides enough privacy and dignity, we will try to provide an acceptable alternative. If our care should fall short of the required standard, we will report it.
There is no national rule to extend single sex considerations to parent/carer accommodation. Many of our parents/carers choose to sleep by the CYP’s bedside, sometimes in shifts and so bays cannot be separated by sex of the parent.
Transgender, non-binary and inter sex CYP are given the same respect for their self-defined gender as trans adults, regardless of their sex assigned at birth. There is no requirement to treat a young transgender, non-binary and inter sex person any differently from other CYP. Where the CYP chooses to share accommodation by sex, this will be under the preferred name and/or stated identity of the CYP.
In some instances, parents or those with parental responsibility may have a view that is not consistent with the CYP’s view. If possible, the CYP’s preference will prevail even if the CYP is not Gillick competent.
The Gender Recognition Act 2004
The Gender Recognition Act 2004 supports the rights of people who are transgender, non-binary and intersex. As in all healthcare provision in EKHUFT, care will be patient-centric and uphold the principle of privacy and dignity. People do not need a gender recognition certificate to access single sex spaces.
In the case of patients who are transgender or who have undergone gender reassignment, each person will be treated with the utmost understanding and discretion when agreeing which clinical area they may prefer.