Right to same-sex ward?

NotBraveSoul · 2025-07-28T19:16:45+00:00

Hello, Looking for a bit of advice which some people may think is trivial in the big scheme of things but oh well… My mother had a heart attack this morning. I’m very grateful that the NHS swung into action and she is thankfully okay. She is on a ward with all men and I know she is feeling quite uncomfortable as she has to use a bedside commode. Is there a way I can sensitively raise this with hospital staff without them thinking I’m being massively ungrateful? I just want to know the best way I can advocate for my mum. Thank you.

vdbfamily · 28/07/2025 20:24

Our hospital does everything it can to avoid mixed bays and has to report daily on any time they have to mix but sometimes it is unavoidable. I would definitely mention it though and see why it is happening. I remember when my aunt had emergency cardiac surgery after a heart attack she was also in a ward full of men. Maybe not enough women have cardiac issues to justify a complete bay of 6?!

Lushvegetation · 28/07/2025 20:25

That’s awful. How upsetting for her. I would ask for the ward sister (assume this is still a thing) and ask her if your mother could be moved. I remember my grandmother being very distressed about being out in a ward with men when she was elderly.

Original poster

NotBraveSoul · 28/07/2025 20:28

vdbfamily · 28/07/2025 20:24

Our hospital does everything it can to avoid mixed bays and has to report daily on any time they have to mix but sometimes it is unavoidable. I would definitely mention it though and see why it is happening. I remember when my aunt had emergency cardiac surgery after a heart attack she was also in a ward full of men. Maybe not enough women have cardiac issues to justify a complete bay of 6?!

Thank you for your reply. I’m assuming it’s purely out of necessity but I think these things can sometimes be overlooked. I’m visiting shortly so will ask. Just need to figure out how to tactfully!

OP posts:

Original poster

NotBraveSoul · 28/07/2025 20:29

Lushvegetation · 28/07/2025 20:25

That’s awful. How upsetting for her. I would ask for the ward sister (assume this is still a thing) and ask her if your mother could be moved. I remember my grandmother being very distressed about being out in a ward with men when she was elderly.

Thank you. I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. I hope that was eventually sorted. I’m glad to see you don’t think I’m be unreasonable or ungrateful.

OP posts:

MissMoneyFairy · 28/07/2025 20:30

Is it the only specialist cardiac ward or a coronary care unit? If it's safe and there is an alternative ward speak to the nurse to see if she can be moved if there's a female bed available. I hope she recovers soon.

whatwasthatnoise · 28/07/2025 20:31

Is she in an intensive care/high dependency /cardiac care unit? When acutely unwell, they are often mixed bays in the initial monitoring phase. Ask to speak with the nurse in charge, they might explain this is the situation for x length of time, or what the situation with beds is.
Wishing her a speedy recovery.

Kuretake · 28/07/2025 20:33

It's shit I'm so sorry about your poor mum. I spent a while week on a mixed ward and it was really stressful.

mamagogo1 · 28/07/2025 20:34

High dependency and intensive care wards are generally mixed because they are by need. With cardiac wards it will be down to what patients they have, they can’t not admit a patient because that space is reserved for the opposite sex. Surgery wards eg orthopaedic is similar as people are coming in unscheduled.

Catsonskis · 28/07/2025 20:34

Ok so mixed sex wards are only appropriate if on level 2 or 3 care - so HDU, CCU, or ICU - is she on any of these? Possibly CCU with the cardiac issues? If so you won’t get far, but the second she is on level 1 care she should NOT be mixed. 15 + years of NHS experience and never known a mixed sex breach on an ordinary ward.

if there is a breach, and she’s mixed sex, you can bet your bottom dollar everyone is aware I including the CEO and is figuring out how to correct it. It’s a massive no no with multiple implications for the Trust.

if she’s on CCU etc you can discuss your feelings but they will be limited on what they can do due to the small number of beds available for the specific care needed

wishing your mum well! Xxx

Greybeardy · 28/07/2025 20:49

As per the above, sounds like it’s a coronary care/hdu ward and probably all you can do is ask if it’s been reported as a mixed sex breach (it most likely will have been already, but worth asking). It is taken very seriously, but if that’s the only place that can provide the appropriate care it’s tricky.

MissMoneyFairy · 28/07/2025 21:13

I've worked in cardiology 15 years and never seen a single sex itu, hdu or ccu, there would be no breach in those units. I have worked on a mixed sex stepson unit and wards but they have single sex bays and siderooms.

Lushvegetation · 28/07/2025 21:15

NotBraveSoul · 28/07/2025 20:29

Thank you. I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. I hope that was eventually sorted. I’m glad to see you don’t think I’m be unreasonable or ungrateful.

Show quote history

Unfortunately she died in hospital several weeks after a stroke. I hope you find a solution for your mother.

Kuretake · 29/07/2025 08:09

MissMoneyFairy · 28/07/2025 21:13

I've worked in cardiology 15 years and never seen a single sex itu, hdu or ccu, there would be no breach in those units. I have worked on a mixed sex stepson unit and wards but they have single sex bays and siderooms.

Yes I was in a single sex bay but no doors or anything between us and the men and I had to walk right past the men to get to the women's toilets. We had a man who was clearly confused but kept walking about with his arse out.

Not having a go at you it's obviously not your fault but single sex bays in a mixed ward can still be really awful.