NHS mixed-sex accommodation use falls 94 percent in a year

The government has published new figures that highlight its success in eliminating unjustified stays in mixed-sex accommodation from NHS operations.

New statistics showed that the number of patients being forced to stay in mixed-sex accommodation fell by 11,035 between December 2010 and December 2011, a drop of 94 percent in one year.

Almost three-quarters (73 percent) of hospital trusts are now reporting zero cases, a record figure that represents a significant improvement from the 52 percent rate seen last year, when monitoring systems were introduced.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley said it is vital that this issue should be tackled, due to the indignity patients can experience when made to share accommodation with people of the opposite sex.

He added: "Almost all acute hospitals are following the rules and we are working to ensure this is copied across the NHS."

Last week, the Department of Health announced plans to improve care standards further with a new initiative focused on infection prevention in healthcare settings.