MIxed sex wards - are you really bothered?
droogiefret
Posts: 24,117 Forum Member
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It's in the news again today.
And on the TV they talked about the need for 'dignity' etc.
But I was on a mixed ward over Christmas and I can't say it bothered me at all - in fact I prefer a mixed ward to a single sex ward.
Any privacy issues I have apply equally to men and women - that's why the beds have curtains.
Isn't it a bit antiquated to segregate the sexes in this way? So I wondered whether, despite political posturing, anybody was really that bothered.
Are you bothered?
And on the TV they talked about the need for 'dignity' etc.
But I was on a mixed ward over Christmas and I can't say it bothered me at all - in fact I prefer a mixed ward to a single sex ward.
Any privacy issues I have apply equally to men and women - that's why the beds have curtains.
Isn't it a bit antiquated to segregate the sexes in this way? So I wondered whether, despite political posturing, anybody was really that bothered.
Are you bothered?
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I have never had to stay in hospital but if I did I think I'd rather have more women than men in my ward. They tend to snore less.
yes there are curtains but they are very flimsy and not soundproof.
A mate of mine was ina mixed ward there was a man in the next bed, when his Dr came round he pulled the curtains but she could still hear every word
Sometime later when her Dr came round closed her curtains for 'privacy' then proceeded to have a discussion about her
vaginal discharge she knew of course that the man in the next bed could hear every word.
Not to mention the Nurse who decided to open the curtains
around the bed of an elderly lady who was then exposed to at least 3 men sitting half naked on a bed pan.
My mate discharged herself the next day
ETA: tbh, if a doctor started talking loudly about my vaginal discharge in a single sex ward I would be absolutely as raging as I would be if there were guys in earshot. Same applies to being exposed on a bedpan. When I was in once the nurse opened the curtains on some old woman climbing on to her commode. It's cruel to gag, but gag I did, and she must have been mortified. That's surely not a gender issue. It shouldn't be, I think...
What did your mother feel about it after all she is the patient
Plenty of privacy if you ask me and lets not forget it's the NHS if you want first class service sign up for bupa.
I was in one a few years back ( because it was an emergency admittance there was no time to get onto the gynae ward and I ended up in general emergency surgical), and although I was in the women's bay - actually I think it was probably not considered "mixed" as the bays were single sex - but it wasnt nice. The bays had windows between them so people could see through into the other sex's beds, and the poor elderly women I was with were mortified, and I didnt like it much either...
Also, in order to get to the toilets, the women had to walk through the mens bay, and vice versa for the men to get to the telephone they had to go through the women's bay - and it was humiliating for them, shuffling past the men, clutching at the back of their hospital gowns trying to keep themselves covered , some pushing drips with their other hand, ...I hated it for them, and for myself it wasnt particularly pleasant either, but not as mortifying - I was more upset for them having to deal with all that as well as being ill.
I think that sums up the case why mixed gender wards should be phased out. i hope that this government succeeds where that last lot quite clearly failed.
My father though didn't like being in a mixed ward after having a stroke. I suppose being in nightwear constantly and dealing with medical matters can be uncomfortable for many when mixed, especially those of older generations.
I really hope they wont decide on mixed sex loos in my lifetime, I would hate that.
I have mixed views. I would rather have a bed on a mixed ward rather than no bed at all if there was not a female bed available. In a lot of hospitals they separate sexes into bays but there are still many with the Florence Nightingale type ward. If you asked me what I would choose though I would rather be in a single sex ward. I expect patient surveys have also said this
On another occassion while my hubby was in a general ward waiting on a bed in cardiology a young lad with a broken leg (or ankle) had his eighteen year old mates in. they spent visiting speculating on where the (mid fifties)woman across from them's tits might hang to.
So no, mixed wards are not a good idea in my mind. I know that sounds like I'm saying all men are idiots but if even a few are vulnerable women have a right to recover in a place of respect and safety. And vice versa.
Imagine if you had a couple of hot men on your ward though, or vice versa, I can't help thinking it would ease the pain somewhat;):D
They always put me in with the weridos, that's what she said.
It was embarrassing for me visiting, some old lady called me over to her bed and asked me to agree she should be allowed to use the bed pan, the nurse wanted her to go to the toilet - good for her legs.
I would also not be happy being on a mixed ward, hospitals are horrible places as it is without being stuck in mixed ward. I would feel really uncomfortable.
that said, i can see why some people would feel more comfortable on single sex wards, and so where it's logistically possible then it should be done.
I don't want to see some old dear's clout staring at me if I'm already unwell.
It could tip me over the edge.
and fart.