Patients forced to stay on mixed-sex wards

More patients in parts of the Black Country and Staffordshire are being forced to stay on mixed-sex wards in hospital – despite a Government ban, figures have revealed.

Stafford Hospital and Dudley's Russells Hall both saw a rise in patients staying on a mixed-sex ward in May. Under new rules imposed by the coalition Government hospitals now have to pay a flat £250 fine for each breach.

Stafford Hospital had most breaches with 46 in May, – up from 32 in April. This could land the trust with an £11,500 fine.

Dudley Hospital had no breaches in April but 33 in May – triggering a £8,250 fine. Elsewhere hospitals significantly improved the situation with far fewer patients suffering what the Department of Health has labelled an "indignity".

Sandwell and West Birmingham Trust, which runs Rowley Regis and City Hospitals, cut breaches with four in May, down from 75 in April.