Should we have mixed-sex wards?

panther · 08-02-2008, 11:23

Health minister Lord Darzi says that banning mixed-sex wards was "an aspiration that cannot be met". In fact, one in ten patients is treated in a mixed-sex NHS ward, despite government promises to abolish them a decade ago.
Have you been treated in a mixed-sex ward?
Would it bother you if you were?
Should we abolish this?

I have never been in a mixed sex ward, only time iv been in hospital is having my kids

, be strange and a miracle if there were

, anyway...i personally would not like this at all, dont like the idea of sleeping in my bed and some strange man sleeping next to me, i wouldnt be able to sleep

........things like this make me think about going private too

IT SHOULD BE ABOLISHED!

lancsdave · 08-02-2008, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by panther

i personally would not like this at all, dont like the idea of sleeping in my bed and some strange man sleeping next to me,

You want to be in our shoes and think about whats it like to sleep next to strange women..... frightening

Mick · 08-02-2008, 11:38

When i had my Heart attack i was treated in a mixed ward and really i was too ill to really bother or notice.
i was transferred from intensive care at BRI to the heart ward at QPH

WillowTheWhisp · 08-02-2008, 11:48

I see your point Mick that when you are seriously ill you don't really notice who is in the next bed but I find it appalling that when people are at their most vulnerable not only do they have to sleep in the same room as strangers but strangers of the opposite sex. I don't like it.

There have been incidences of elderly male patients wandering around in a state of dress which would have them arrested for indecent exposure anywhere else. It's bad enough when you are faced with half naked members of the same sex. Even worse than that there have been stories of female patients being indecently assaulted by male patients.

When people are ill or recovering they deserve as much dignity as possible and I do not believe mixed wards are conducive to this.

I wonder if objections have been raised by muslims - surely it can't be acceptable in Islam for women to be in bed in the same room as men they are not married to.

jackyalex · 08-02-2008, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

You want to be in our shoes and think about whats it like to sleep next to strange women..... frightening

Thought you would have liked that

anyway i have had to be on a recovery ward with a male, i had an operation went into the recovery room, i was laying there in my hospital gown still half asleep and i needed a pee, i got up out of the bed you should have seen the poor blokes face, i stumbled around the room looking for a loo, nurse came in and shouted at me for getting out of bed, i must have flashed my backside to him a few times (without knowing) i think it might have made him come round a bit quicker. Well i dont think any ward should be mixed otherwise why not have mixed sex toilets and changing rooms.

cashman · 08-02-2008, 12:27

i was once put in a female ward at BRI, cos was no room in the male, was not a happy bunny, did not like it at all, so i am dead against mixed sex wards.

MargaretR · 08-02-2008, 12:37

Shared sex wards are a loss of dignity at a time of vulnerability.
I think that I would have difficulty sleeping whilst feeling unsafe and vulnerable.
That, along with the trash food, and poor hygiene, are all reasons why hospitals are
not good for your health

Wynonie Harris · 08-02-2008, 13:41

Yet another broken promise from the government. It's disgraceful and demeaning that mixed-sex wards should still exist. Obviously it's all down to money, but it's strange that the government can find the cash for failed computer projects and swathes of bureaucracy in the NHS, not to mention failed military adventures in foreign countries.

Willow's raised an interesting point though...I wonder how they do deal with muslim women in hospital? If my wife had to endure the indignity of a mixed-sex ward, while muslim females were in single-sex wards, I'd play merry hell!

blazey · 08-02-2008, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by panther

Health minister Lord Darzi says that banning mixed-sex wards was "an aspiration that cannot be met". In fact, one in ten patients is treated in a mixed-sex NHS ward, despite government promises to abolish them a decade ago.
Have you been treated in a mixed-sex ward?
Would it bother you if you were?
Should we abolish this?

I have never been in a mixed sex ward, only time iv been in hospital is having my kids

, be strange and a miracle if there were

, anyway...i personally would not like this at all, dont like the idea of sleeping in my bed and some strange man sleeping next to me, i wouldnt be able to sleep

........things like this make me think about going private too

IT SHOULD BE ABOLISHED!

I didn't even realise that wards could be the same sex other than maternity wards. I don't think it would bother me, as long as they weren't a known danger to me.

You can't really live life fearing an attack at every possible opportunity in my opinion. Theres probably more chance being killed by a boy racer than being molested or sexually assaulted by a strange man in the hospital bed next to you. Doesn't mean I am going to avoid crossing the road though, that would be OTT.

accyman · 08-02-2008, 18:53

iv been treated on a mixed sex ward

well she said it was a treat then demanded £20

mind you those poor nurses have to top up their wages somehow i guess

broadhurst7173 · 08-02-2008, 19:25

my sister was on a mixed sex ward but they were seperated by bays, men in one bay and women in another, on the same ward though.

panther · 08-02-2008, 19:35

we dont share public toilets, or changing rooms at the swimming baths etc.... so why should we share wards?......

polly · 08-02-2008, 19:51

The only reason mixed sex wards can not be provided are cost.
It would seem that we can afford to invade foreign lands but not provide decent facilities for our own sick.

Bonnyboy · 08-02-2008, 20:02

Should we have mixed wards ? In a word …No, for reasons already stated by others.

cashman · 08-02-2008, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey

I didn't even realise that wards could be the same sex other than maternity wards. I don't think it would bother me, as long as they weren't a known danger to me.

You can't really live life fearing an attack at every possible opportunity in my opinion. Theres probably more chance being killed by a boy racer than being molested or sexually assaulted by a strange man in the hospital bed next to you. Doesn't mean I am going to avoid crossing the road though, that would be OTT.

its more about " Dignity" than being attacked, one day even you may have some.