Posted: Monday 16 August 2010
Today the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced proposals to finally eliminate mixed sex wards.
Mind’s Director of External Relations Sophie Corlett said:
Many attempts and promises have been made over the years to abolish mixed sex wards but this has not translated into real change. Mind has heard from patients who have endured the hugely traumatic experience of physical exposure and sexual harassment from other patients, no doubt hindering rather than helping their recovery.
For mental health patients, admittance into hospital occurs when they are at their most vulnerable and in need of a high standard of care in a therapeutic environment. Instead, for some, in-patient wards represent a frightening and intolerable experience, where over-crowding and mixed sex wards can manifest more mental distress than they resolve.
We welcome the new government’s pledge to tackling this unacceptable situation, especially given the difficulties that must be overcome in order to implement change and the need for significant investment. We hope we can look forward to a day when every mental health patient can expect to be treated in a place of refuge and privacy and without fear for their safety.
For more information, please contact Mind Media Office:
t: 0208 522 1743
m: 07850 788514
e: press@mind.org.uk