Articles and Speeches

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 .