Statement of Compliance: 25th March 2012
Colchester Hospital University Foundation Trust has eliminated mixed -sex accommodation, except where it is in the best interest of the patient, or reflects their personal choice.
Your privacy and dignity, our responsibility
Mixed sex accommodation? Not on our wards. The NHS Constitution confirms your right to dignity and respect, as does the Department of Health, and our Trust is committed to treating all patients with privacy and dignity in a safe, clean and comfortable hospital environment. We have been compliant with privacy and dignity guidance for quite a while, and have virtually eliminated mixed sex accommodation in our hospitals, where sleeping or toilet facilities are shared. (Here is our Declaration of Compliance, dated March 2012.)
The majority of patients at our hospitals are cared for in same-sex bays (on 'mixed sex' wards) with same-sex washing facilities. The Trust monitors same-sex standard breaches and works to move patients into same-sex accommodation as quickly as possible. However, clinical judgement associated with the needs of the individual patient, for example in critical care environments, may take precedence over the provision of same-sex accommodation. In such circumstances patients will be moved from a mixed sex environment to same-sex accommodation as soon as their condition allows. The Trust has an Single Sex Accommodation Policy (updated March 2012) to ensure compliance with privacy and dignity legislation for all wards, including appropriate designation of toilets signage, curtains and screens.
Spotted a breach? Tell us what you think
Patients admitted to hospital are encouraged to talk to staff about any concerns they have regarding their care. There are Matrons on duty to assist patients and relatives on a 24 hour basis who can be contacted by the switchboard if required. Each ward has a Ward Sister and a Deputy Sister who are happy to deal with any issues regarding patient care. Patients are able to provide feedback anonymously on their experiences using an electronic hand-held device called a Patient Experience Tracker which provides ward staff with valuable information that patients may have on a day-to-day basis so that the quality of care can be improved.
Here is a form to tell us what you think about any concerns you have about privacy and dignity.
Staff training
The Trust promotes the importance of privacy and dignity with staff through training.
"Not on our wards" posters
We have produced some posters on the "Mixed sex accommodation? Not on our wards" theme, featuring three of our Matrons:
Matron Louise Notley poster (266Kb)
Matron Lynda Kitching poster (288Kb)
Matron Rossa Baker poster (251Kb)
