Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to confirm that we are compliant with the Government’s requirement to
eliminate mixed sex accommodation, except when it is in the patient’s overall best interest, or reflects their
personal choice. We have the necessary facilities, resources and culture to ensure that patients who are admitted
to our hospitals will only share the room where they sleep with members of the same sex, and same sex toilets and
bathrooms will be close to their bed area. Sharing with members of the opposite sex will only happen when clinically
necessary (for example where patients need specialist equipment such as Intensive Care), or where patients actively choose to share.
If our care should fall short of the required standard, we will report it. We will set up an audit mechanism to make sure we do not
misclassify any of our reports. We will publish the results of the audit at the Patient Experience & Workforce Assurance Committee
and the Board of Directors.
What does this mean for patients?
The room where your bed is will only have patients of the same sex as you.
Your toilet and bathroom will be just for your gender, and will be close to your bed area.
It is possible that there will be both men and women patients on the ward, but they will not share your sleeping area.
You may have to cross a ward corridor to reach your bathroom, but you will not have to walk through opposite-sex areas.
You may share some communal space, such as day rooms or dining rooms, and it is very likely that you will see both men and
women patients as you move around the hospital (e.g. on your way to X-ray or the operating theatre).
It is probable that visitors of the opposite gender will come into the room where your bed is, and this may include patients visiting each other.
It is almost certain that both male and female nurses, doctors and other staff will come into your bed area.
If you need help to use the toilet or take a bath (e.g. you need a hoist or special bath) then you may be taken to a “unisex”
bathroom used by both men and women, but a member of staff will be with you, and other patients will not be in the bathroom at the same time.
The NHS will not turn patients away just because a “right-sex” bed is not immediately available.
Contact us
As with any aspect of your care, if you have any worries please speak to the sister / charge nurse or nurse in charge of the ward.