Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Wednesday, 12 July 2006.

Mental Health: Patient Safety

Question: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his Answer. In 1996, Mr Blair, in opposition, asked the following question about mixed-sex mental health wards: "““Is it beyond the wit of the Government and health administrators to deal with this problem?””." Today, when 25 per cent of mental health patients record that they are held in mixed-sex wards and it has taken the Department of Health more than six months to respond to a report setting out allegations of more than 100 serious sexual offences against women, does he not think that it is time the Government responded to the report fully and quickly?

Answer: My Lords, there are two points there. As I understand it, the latest published figures show that 99 per cent of mental health trusts and PCTs that provide mental health services meet single-sex accommodation objectives. We are working closely with the remaining one per cent to ensure that they achieve the necessary standards as quickly as possible. The delay in responding to the report has been caused by trying to get to the bottom of the allegations. That is what Professor Louis Appleby has been doing and will continue to do.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 684 c705-6
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Women Gender Hospital wards NHS Psychiatric patients Mental health services Sexual offences National Patient Safety Agency
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk