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Written question asked by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Monday, 1 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 June 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Monday, 22 June 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Hospital Wards: Gender

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of biological males in NHS wards designated for women, and what steps, if any, they are taking to (1) prevent biological males from being placed in wards designated for women, and (2) ensure biological males currently placed in such wards are removed and placed in wards designated for men.

Answer

Since December 2010, National Health Service organisations have been required to collect and submit data on monthly mixed-sex accommodation breaches.

In March 2026, providers of NHS-funded healthcare reported 4,549 breaches of the mixed sex accommodation guidance in relation to NHS patients in sleeping accommodation in England. The sex of the patients involved in these breaches is not recorded centrally. When mixing of sexes does occur in NHS hospital accommodation, the national guidance outlines that every effort should be made to put the situation right as soon as possible.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL428
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Gender Hospital wards
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk