NHS breached mixed-sex ward ban nearly 44,000 times in 2023 as the figure doubles in five years

Patients were placed on mixed-sex NHS hospital wards a record 43,700 times last year – despite the practice being banned in 2012.

The number of breaches last year was more than double the 20,061 reported in 2019, and the highest since data collection began in 2010.

The national breach rate last year stood at three per 1,000 courses of treatment – up from less than one per 1,000 pre-pandemic.

But Medway Foundation Trust recorded a breach rate of 26 per 1,000, while Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust had a rate of 22.5.

Use of mixed-sex wards, with some exceptions for critical care or chemotherapy, was banned in 2012 under the NHS constitution.

NHS England said patients’ privacy, safety and dignity should be maintained with single-sex sleeping accommodation, toilet or bathroom facilities.

Wes Streeting, Labour’s shadow health secretary, said: ‘The Conservatives’ cuts to hospital beds and failure to train enough staff has left the health service unable to protect patients’ basic dignity.’

An NHSE spokesman said: ‘Trusts across the country are taking action to reduce or eliminate unjustified breaches.’