The NHS Alliance responds to NHS England's single sex spaces guidance
Sir Ciarán says NHS leaders recognise the importance of ensuring that services are safe, inclusive and legally compliant for every patient and member of staff.
Commenting on NHS England's publication of guidance on NHS staff facilities and guidance on privacy, dignity and safety in hospital accommodation, Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive of The NHS Alliance, said:
“NHS leaders recognise the importance of ensuring that services are safe, inclusive and legally compliant for every patient and member of staff.
“They will welcome the publication of this long-awaited guidance and will need time to consider the detail. What leaders need above all is clarity about what is expected of them and their teams, so there is no ambiguity for patients or staff.
“The legal and operational issues around providing single-sex spaces are complex. We will want to ensure that the guidance doesn't leave individual organisations with too much ambiguity when it comes to interpreting it, with the risk that it leads to inconsistency in implementation across the NHS.
“There are also significant practical questions about implementation. NHS organisations will want to make their facilities fit for purpose to align with the updated guidance, but adapting facilities will carry costs. There will also be the additional administrative burden of reporting breaches and demonstrating clinical need. These pressures will need to be fully understood and properly resourced.
“Above all, the NHS is a service for everyone. Patients and staff should be able to expect dignity, respect and privacy, and we hope this guidance will enable local leaders and staff to deliver that consistently and confidently.”