Our staff know how important it is to respect and protect patients’ dignity whilst in our care. This includes paying attention to people’s values, beliefs and personal relationships and applies to everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, social or cultural backgrounds, or psychological and physical requirements.
Dignity in care
We are proud to be part of the national Dignity in care campaign. Our involvement includes staff, patients and visitors, with the intention to share and apply good practice so people in our hospitals are always treated with dignity and respect.
Dignity in care describes the 10 core values and actions of high quality services:
- A zero tolerance of all forms of abuse
- Support people with the same respect you would want for yourself or a member of your family
- Treat each person as an individual by offering a personalised service
- Enable people to maintain the maximum possible level of independence, choice and control
- Listen and support people to express their needs and wants
- Respect people’s right to privacy
- Ensure people feel able to complain without fear of retribution
- Engage with family members and carers as care partners
- Assist people to maintain confidence and positive self-esteem
- Act to alleviate people’s loneliness and isolation
Accommodation
We meet the government’s requirement to eliminate mixed-sex accommodation, unless it is in the patient’s overall best interest, or reflects their personal choice.
We have the facilities, resources, and culture, to ensure that patients who are admitted to our hospitals will only share the room where they sleep with members of the same sex, and that same-sex toilets and bathrooms will be close to their bed area.
Sharing with members of the opposite sex will only happen when clinically necessary (for example, where patients need specialist equipment such as in a critical care unit), or when patients actively choose to share (for instance in a renal dialysis unit).
If our care should fall short of the required standard, we will report and audit it.
What does this mean for patients?
Same-sex accommodation means:
- the room where your bed is will only have patients of the same sex as you
- your toilet and bathroom will be just for your gender, and will be close to your bed area.
Our matrons monitor this and we will respond quickly to any concerns that are expressed by patients, visitors or staff.
It is possible that there will be both men and women patients on the ward, but they will not share your sleeping area. You may have to cross a ward corridor to reach your bathroom, but you will not have to walk through opposite-sex areas.
You may share some communal space, such as day rooms or dining rooms, and it is very likely that you will see both men and women patients as you move around the hospital. This may be whilst you are 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 your 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 your bed area.
If you need help to use the toilet, or take a bath, e.g. you need a hoist or special bath, then you may be taken to a unisex bathroom used by both men and women. However, a member of staff will be with you, and other patients will not be in the bathroom at the same time.
The NHS will not turn patients away just because a ‘right-sex’ bed is not immediately available.
How will we measure this?
While in hospital, we may ask patients to complete a short survey which seeks their thoughts on our accommodation, toilet and washing facilities.
We have developed ‘real-time’ electronic surveys which patients can complete, which give patients the chance to have their say on the service they have received.
What to do if you think you’re in mixed-sex accommodation
We want to know about your experiences. If you have any comments or concerns about your accommodation in hospital, please contact:
Patient relations department
Telephone: 0191 223 1382
North of Tyne Patient Advisory and Liaison Service (PALS)
Freephone: 0800 032 0202
Changing Places
We have designated facilities at both the Freeman Hospital and Royal Victoria Infirmary – located on level 3 at the RVI and near the main entrance of the Freeman Hospital.
Changing Places is a facility for anyone with a complex health issue who cannot use a standard disabled toilet as they require extra equipment and space. The room features a height adjustable adult changing bed, an electronic ceiling hoist, height adjustable sink, peninsular toilet, shower, non-slip floor and privacy screen.
You can find out more about the facilities and how to access them here.
