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Hospitals warned ahead of mixed-sex wards fining system Hospitals warned ahead of mixed-sex wards fining system
(about 4 hours later)
By Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC NewsBy Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC News
Hospitals in England have been sent a warning about mixed-sex accommodation ahead of a new fining system being brought in later this year.Hospitals in England have been sent a warning about mixed-sex accommodation ahead of a new fining system being brought in later this year.
From April, trusts will be fined £250 when a patient is kept on a mixed-sex ward.From April, trusts will be fined £250 when a patient is kept on a mixed-sex ward.
The Department of Health's figures showed there were more than 11,000 breaches in December - nearly half of trusts reported problems.The Department of Health's figures showed there were more than 11,000 breaches in December - nearly half of trusts reported problems.
It said if the trusts involved were fined the bill would have been £2.8m. That would result in fines of at least £2.8m, depending on the length of stay.
The government's drive on mixed-sex accommodation follows attempts by the previous government to tackle the issue.The government's drive on mixed-sex accommodation follows attempts by the previous government to tackle the issue.
StruggleStruggle
Labour ministers struggled partly because large chunks of the NHS estate date back decades and proved harder to convert.Labour ministers struggled partly because large chunks of the NHS estate date back decades and proved harder to convert.
Extra money has now been ploughed into the system to help build more single rooms to rectify this.Extra money has now been ploughed into the system to help build more single rooms to rectify this.
But the latest figures show there is still some way to go before mixed-sex accommodation goes completely.But the latest figures show there is still some way to go before mixed-sex accommodation goes completely.
In total, there were 11,362 breaches, although this equates to less than 1% of patients who stayed in hospital during the month.In total, there were 11,362 breaches, although this equates to less than 1% of patients who stayed in hospital during the month.
The rules apply to all trusts from acute hospitals to mental health units. Only intensive care and A&E are excused.The rules apply to all trusts from acute hospitals to mental health units. Only intensive care and A&E are excused.
Single-sex accommodation means patients sharing sleeping, bathroom and toilet facilities only with people of the same sex. This could be through single rooms or whole wards occupied by men or women only, or mixed wards in which men and women are separated in bays or rooms.Single-sex accommodation means patients sharing sleeping, bathroom and toilet facilities only with people of the same sex. This could be through single rooms or whole wards occupied by men or women only, or mixed wards in which men and women are separated in bays or rooms.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the figures showed the scale of the problem was "far worse" than first thought.Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the figures showed the scale of the problem was "far worse" than first thought.
He added: "Publishing these figures in itself revolutionises accountability to patients."He added: "Publishing these figures in itself revolutionises accountability to patients."
The problems were worst in trusts in the north west.The problems were worst in trusts in the north west.