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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think psych wards should be single-sex?

111 replies

UndertheCedartree · 04/02/2022 00:56

This is something I have thought about a lot. And am interested in others opinions and maybe what can be done about it?

I have spent time on 3 acute wards that were mixed-sex and also one long term ward that was women only (in fact the whole hospital was).

On all 3 of the wards men came onto me, while I was very vulnerable. On one occasion I started a relationship with a man on the ward. I was also touched inappropriately on many occasions. There was also aggression by men. I was obviously not thinking straight and would stand up to men who bullied/abused women. I was threatened on many occasions and actually punched once. This was just normal life on the ward. Looking back I feel I really wasn't safe guarded.

When I got to the women's hospital it was bliss! The general level of aggression (and aggressive swearing) was so much lower! Like a 1 compared to a 10. The type of abuse that happened all the time like inappropriate touching just did not happen. There were not people trying to come onto you all the time.

I just think psych wards should be single sex and preferably single sex hospitals! Because men can still target you when on leave if they are in the same hospital. What do you think?

OP posts:
MsPavlichenko · 04/02/2022 00:58

All wards should be single sex.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/02/2022 01:00

@MsPavlichenko

All wards should be single sex.
Like whole wards or just bays?
OP posts:
Lockdownbear · 04/02/2022 01:02

@MsPavlichenko

All wards should be single sex.
Yes and can we stop women who've just given birth having men sleeping in the same room. Pay for extra staff to help not rely on partners
Aquamarine1029 · 04/02/2022 01:10

Of course they should be single sex. It's appalling that this ever changed.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/02/2022 01:12

I do agree with both those points. However, I've been on wards where men and women were together in the same area - as in one long Nightingale ward and I have to say nothing untoward happened. I wasn't anything like as vulnerable either. Obviously I appreciate others may have different experiences/feelings

On a psych ward you aren't just in your bed space either - you are having to a certain extent mix with the men.

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 04/02/2022 01:12

Shocking that psych wards - and all wards but this in particular- aren’t single sex.

I also agree with the men on maternity wards point but think that could distract from the main point.

Why one earth should anyone have to put up with what you did OP? Flabbergasting.

Rhannion · 04/02/2022 01:12

All wards should be single sex.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/02/2022 01:12

@Aquamarine1029

Of course they should be single sex. It's appalling that this ever changed.
Did psych wards used to be single sex?
OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 04/02/2022 01:13

I didn't think people have mixed sex mental health wards any more - the guidance is not to do this. Totally agree with op. I don't think this is the normal these days, I have never worked on a ward that wasn't single sex.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/02/2022 01:15

@Stompythedinosaur

I didn't think people have mixed sex mental health wards any more - the guidance is not to do this. Totally agree with op. I don't think this is the normal these days, I have never worked on a ward that wasn't single sex.
Really? All our local wards and next town over are mixed. I've never come across a single sex acute ward.
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/02/2022 01:16

@Stompythedinosaur

I didn't think people have mixed sex mental health wards any more - the guidance is not to do this. Totally agree with op. I don't think this is the normal these days, I have never worked on a ward that wasn't single sex.
Were they mixed sex hospitals? If so I bet a lot of abuse still happens.
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/02/2022 01:17

But no where near as much. Single sex wards are much better.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/02/2022 01:19

@Stompythedinosaur - do you think I could talk about my experience to anyone? I wish I could stop it happening to other women.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 04/02/2022 01:22

My husband was sectioned some years ago. I was shocked at what the female patients? were expected to put up with. As you say there was no safeguarding. A rape happened in the grounds, it didn't surprise anyone. Tbh, I've seen similar threats in residential care. I've seen very frail elderly ladies beaten up by males in dementia care. The warning signs were there and ignored.

Blessex · 04/02/2022 01:23

No brainer. Single sex

GibbonsGoatsGibbons · 04/02/2022 01:25

All wards should be single sex.

I'm so sorry the NHS utterly failed to keep you safe OP Flowers

Ponoka7 · 04/02/2022 01:25

What about writing a letter to female relevant MPs? Have you shared your experience with MIND?

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/02/2022 01:27

@Ponoka7

My husband was sectioned some years ago. I was shocked at what the female patients? were expected to put up with. As you say there was no safeguarding. A rape happened in the grounds, it didn't surprise anyone. Tbh, I've seen similar threats in residential care. I've seen very frail elderly ladies beaten up by males in dementia care. The warning signs were there and ignored.
Yes, absolutely. I even had a member of staff blame me as I have quite big breasts so when I wear a normal vest (in summer when hot) I have a bit of cleavage. I was told not to sit next to these men. But I would sit in the lounge and doze in the chair as very tired/drugged and they would sit next to me and start touching me before I realised. Rape doesn't suprise me either unfortunately. And poor ladies being beaten up Sad
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/02/2022 01:27

@GibbonsGoatsGibbons

All wards should be single sex.

I'm so sorry the NHS utterly failed to keep you safe OP Flowers

Thank you
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 04/02/2022 01:28

@Ponoka7

What about writing a letter to female relevant MPs? Have you shared your experience with MIND?
Thank you for the suggestions I have done neither. I think it would make me feel better to do something about it.
OP posts:
MmeSosostris · 04/02/2022 02:02

Hi OP, I just wanted to say hello as you have written very clearly about your experiences yet they must have been very distressing for you. Could you write things down? Would that help you get it all out of your head? Then if you did speak to someone, say a counsellor, you would have a clear idea of what you wanted to discuss and why.

That’s all an awful lot of stuff to experience, particularly when you are vulnerable.

X

owlinnahat · 04/02/2022 02:07

I was sectioned about 8 years ago and then again 6 years ago and both times was on single sex wards. I don't think mixed sex is always the norm tho I don't know, obvs. Suspect it varies between Trusts. So much does which really sucks.

Am v glad I wasn't in a mixed ward as first time I was manic and hypersexual and had no boundaries at all.

Etak123 · 04/02/2022 02:35

I’m so sorry this happened to you x I spend lots of time in hospital and it’s always mixed wards but single sex bays.
We no longer have a mental health ward at our local hospital but I know a few people who have been on it in the past.
Unfortunately a young man I know very well was in there when he was also very vulnerable and ill and he was traumatised to say the least.
It’s so hard to say because everyone who gets sectioned ( been very close many times in the past) is very ill and deserves individual sensitivite supportive care. They are not in control properly, therefore not responsible for their actions so it only makes sense to have single sex wards.
Unfortunately with the 12 years of Tory austerity the health and social care budget and the nhs have taken so many cuts that they just can’t afford it. It’s not right and poor people like you are/have paid the price.
The only thing we little people can do about any of it is vote, on mass, against the tories and talk to people, explain how they have destroyed our country and try to work together to get funding back where it’s needed x

GiantHaystacks2021 · 04/02/2022 03:21

That's Dickensian.
Dreadful.

Beautyinreality · 04/02/2022 03:30

I was sexually assaulted on a mixed sex ward, happened 10 years ago. Got myself locked in his bedroom. Nearly destroyed me. CQC report suggests that it's not uncommon and threshold for staff to report anything is really high. I'm sorry to hear your experiences OP, resonates with my own very much. Would love to see it move to single sex but given pressures in system it's not anyone's priority.