Hospital boosts patients' privacy

The trust said no patient would be put in a mixed-sex bay

A £367,000 government grant has gone to Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey to improve facilities to protect the privacy and dignity of patients.

The NHS trust said the cash would be spent on providing separate facilities for men and women in several areas.

Director of nursing Mary Dunne said: "We understand just how important it is to our patients that their need for privacy is respected."

She added: "No patient will be put in a mixed-sex bay at Frimley Park."

We are determined to provide an environment in which patients feel as comfortable as possible Mary Dunne

Ms Dunne said £198,000 would be spent on providing totally separate ward areas and washing/toilet facilities for men and women in the medical assessment unit and trauma assessment unit.

She said both units, until now, had been exempt from Department of Health guidelines on privacy and dignity.

Further improvements over the next four months will see separate facilities being created on the acute stroke ward, one medical ward, an orthopaedic ward, and on general surgical wards.

Ms Dunne said: "We are determined to provide an environment in which patients feel as comfortable as possible, with separate sleeping areas and facilities for men and women."

She said staff were also receiving training on best practice concerning privacy and dignity for patients.