Progress shown in bid to emliminate mixed-sex wards in Bradford (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Progress shown in bid to emliminate mixed-sex wards in Bradford

9:51am Thursday 4th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(9)

Progress made towards eliminating mixed-sex wards in Bradford and Airedale hospitals has been highlighted in a new video featuring patients and staff.

The drive to deliver single-sex accommodation follows a Government pledge to eliminate all mixed- sex accommodation in January 2009, which was supported by a £100 million privacy and dignity challenge fund to help hospitals make the necessary improvements.

More than £1.2m was made available to local NHS trusts to make improvements such as adding separate bathroom facilities, separating open wards into smaller bay areas and placing doors on bed bays.

The major improvements made over the last year have now been highlighted in the film made by NHS Bradford and Airedale, which can be viewed on the local NHS website.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital, has focused on eliminating the ‘Nightingale’ wards by splitting them into purpose-designed private bays and segregating single-sex sleeping areas and washing/toilet facilities.

At Airedale NHS Trust work has included upgrading bathroom and toilet facilities, installing sliding doors on bed bays and improved signs, indicating the separate male and female facilities. Plans are also in place to extend the day surgery ward to maintain same-sex accommodation.

At Bradford District Care Trust a new visitors’ suite has been created which removes the need to take visitors to relative’s rooms.

Liz Allen, deputy director of nursing at NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “Every patient has the right to receive high-quality care that is safe, effective and respects their privacy and dignity so we are delighted with the progress being made by local NHS providers to deliver single-sex accommodation. By showing the progress in the form of a film we are able to bring the privacy and dignity agenda to life and emphasise the success of the work to date.”

Bridget Fletcher, director of nursing at Airedale NHS Trust, said: “When developing our plans for same-sex accommodation we also considered our own patients’ feedback – particularly in preserving privacy and dignity.”

Deputy chief nurse for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Sally Scales said: “Privacy and dignity is very important. It is imperative patients come away feeling that they have been well cared for and looked after. Obviously being treated with dignity and respect is a major part of this.”

* To see the film visit bradford.

nhs.uk.

• Comment