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Windsor MP Calls for End of
Mixed Sex
Wards
18-Jul-06, Press Release.
Adam Afriyie MP today called for an end to the
practice of keeping mental health in-patients in
mixed-sex wards.
The Government promised to end mixed-sex wards in the NHS
but so far this promise has not been kept. Research carried
out in 2004 by the mental health charity MIND found that
only 23% of recent or current in-patients were accommodated
in single sex wards. Often, where it is claimed that wards
are single sex, the barrier is nothing more than a curtain
round the bed.
A report commissioned by the Government containing
figures on incidences of assault in mental health wards was
released today. The report had been suppressed by the
Government since November and only came to light as a result
of applications made by MIND under the Freedom of
Information Act and parliamentary questions asked of the
Secretary of State by Adam Afriyie MP and James Brokenshire
MP.
The report showed that women had been the victims of more
than 100 incidents of rape, sexual assault or sexual
harassment in NHS mental health units over a period of two
years, with most incidents taking place in the 12 months up
to October 2005.
Adam Afriyie commented:
“My concern is for those with mental health challenges
who are some of the most vulnerable in our society and it is
shocking and unacceptable that people who turn to the
Government’s NHS in their hour of need can be subject to
abuse in this way.
“I commend the work and dedication of the doctors, nurses
and professionals in the NHS; my anger is directed at a
Government that has failed to keep its promise of ending the
use of mixed-sex wards in the NHS.
“This is no way to provide care in a civilised society
and the Government should be ashamed. It's a disgrace.”
ENDS
Contact Details: Telephone: 0207 219 8023 Email: afriyiea@parliament.uk
Editors’ Notes
Full text of Adam Afriyie’s question: “How many sexual
assaults took place in in-patient mental health wards in
2005-06; and if she will make a statement.”
The question was linked with that of James Brokenshire,
MP for Hornchurch: “What recent estimate she has made of the
number of assaults on patients and healthcare staff within
in-patient mental health wards.”
Full text of the answer and supplementary questions will
be available from 8am on Wednesday 19th July by using the
following link and navigating to oral answers section for
18th July 2006.
http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmhansrd.htm . |
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