Privacy and dignity

The privacy and dignity of our patients is our priority and we’re constantly making improvements.

We have both single and mixed sex wards. They are split into small four or six bedded rooms or bays. In our mixed sex wards the rooms or bays are kept for either all male or all female use.

There may be some cases, for example, in our emergency assessment unit, critical care, high dependency or coronary care units where this may not be possible.

Separate single sex toilets, shower and washing facilities are available on every ward.

Eliminating mixed sex accommodation – declaration of compliance

All patient accommodation at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has been assessed and deemed compliant with current eliminating mixed sex accommodation (EMSA) requirements. Assessment was based on the seventeen principles developed by the Department of Health, to ensure each organisation delivers the highest standards of privacy and dignity within all areas of a hospital. The process of assessment has been scrutinised at trust board level. Ongoing compliance with EMSA principles will be monitored and actioned through the existing quality monitoring processes.

For and on behalf of the board

Julie Gillon
Chief executive

Lindsey Robertson
Director of nursing, patient safety and quality