Number of NHS patients placed onto mixed-sex wards reaches all-time high of nearly 5,000

In January, UK’s National Health Service (NHS) hit a record high in patient placements in mixed-sex wards, reaching nearly 5,000 cases. The trend breaches a government ban enacted in 2010, which was relaxed at the onset of Covid. The relaxation has led to increased incidents of reported sexual assault on hospital wards—with only 4% leading to charges. Campaigners argue the re-emergence of mixed-sex wards compromises the safety and dignity of patients, especially older and more vulnerable individuals.