Privacy, Dignity and Respect at the NOC
Declaration of compliance re mixed-sex accommodation
The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre is pleased to confirm that we are compliant with the Government's requirement to eliminate mixed-sex accomodation, 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 same sex will only happen when clinically necessary for example where patients need specialist equipment such as in the Recovery Unit following an operation.
If our care should fall short of the required standard, we will report it. We will also set up an audit mechanism to make sure that we do not misclassify any of our reports. We will publish the results of that audit on this website.
Our Statement
At the NOC, our modern hospital buildings enable us to provide accommodation and treatment areas that respect your privacy and dignity. During your stay with us you will be cared for in same sex four-bedded bays with separate men’s and women’s washing and toilet facilities or single rooms with ensuite facilities.
What does this mean for you?
Same sex-accommodation means:
- 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 or bay. 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 (eg 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 (eg 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.
It is important to note that for a short period following an operation you will be nursed in the Recovery Unit where you need to be in a large open area for clinical observation before being transferred to your ward. This means you will be in a bed near to someone of the opposite sex during this short period. If this concerns you, please discuss the issue with the pre-operative assessment nursing staff and we will look at how we can address your concerns.
The NOC is committed to delivering patient centred care by our clinical teams who understand the principles of privacy, dignity and respect for everybody. Here at the NOC we have always taken issues around privacy and dignity very seriously and we are refocussing our efforts to ensure that we work together with our patients
NOC Policy on delivering same sex accomodation
Staff Privacy and Dignity Workshop
In July 2009 NOC staff took part in a Privacy and Dignity to workshop to find out what it's like to be cared for as a patient at the hospital. They experienced being dressed in gowns, assisted with feeding, having their teeth brushed and wheeled down corridors.
During the workshop staff also experienced what it is like for patients who have limited mobility by being placed in a hospital hoist and being lifted out of a wheelchair onto a hospital bed.
The best way for staff to fully understand the concerns and fears of patients was to put them in their shoes and to reinforce the message that protecting patient's privacy and dignity is an essential part of delivering quality care. It is the NOC's commitment to ensuring that patients feel confident and comfortable when in hospital.
The NOC's new buildings mean that patients are cared for in same-sex bays or single rooms both with en-suite toilet and washing facilities to separate the men's and women's facilities.
Patient's have their say
In September 2009 the NOC continued its drive to promote privacy and dignity by setting up a video booth in the main reception area of the hospital.
The touch screen video booth provided an opportunity to measure patient's experiences first hand by recording their views on how they felt patients are cared for at the hospital with regard to privacy and dignity.
The screen asked a series of questions, each giving the patient or visitor a chance to repond and be recorded.
The campaign followed on from the staff workshop earlier in the year to ensure that patient's are treated with dignity and respect at all times.
The footage recorded on the day provided feedback for nursing staff with helpful suggestions on where improvements could be made.