Safety recommendation
HSSIB recommends that NHS England, working with relevant stakeholders, develops guiding principles for providers of mental health inpatient care to support local decision making when accommodating patients, including patients who are transgender and non-binary. This is to ensure a provider’s equality and human rights obligations are considered, and all patients are cared for in environments where they feel safe and that are therapeutic.
Response:
NHS England will revise and update guidance pertaining to ‘delivering same-sex accommodation’. This guidance prioritises the privacy, dignity and safety of all patients, including those in mental health settings. It is believed that this will meet the expectations of HSSIB’s safety recommendation and will be published shortly.
Action planned to deliver safety recommendation:
Revise and update guidance pertaining to ‘delivering same-sex accommodation’. By when: awaiting EHRC publication first. Organisational lead: Nursing Directorate. Additional comments: Final stages of NHSE sign off process and pending DHSC sign off.
Response received on 30 May 2025.