GOV'T CAN'T KEEP HIDING BEHIND THE WRONG TARGET

30 April 2008

This isn't just about beds in rooms, it's about the dignity of patients

Help the Aged today responded to the Health Secretary's comments on the Government's commitments to abolishing mixed sex wards.

Charlotte Potter, Senior Policy Officer at Help the Aged said:

"Help the Aged believes the Government should work towards providing single sex wards for all, with single-sex accommodation available as a bare minimum.

"The Government can't keep hiding behind the idea that they set the wrong target, they need to set the right measure and stick to it.

"Older people, as the biggest users of hospitals, cite privacy and dignity as a primary area of concern when accessing healthcare.

"This isn't just about beds in rooms, it's about the dignity of patients.

"However, ensuring single sex accommodation is only one aspect of ensuring dignity for patients in hospitals - other areas such as personal hygiene and nutrition are also vital for maintaining dignity in care.

"Help the Aged is concerned that in dropping this commitment, the Government is backsliding on the wider dignity agenda."