HSJ has revealed that hundreds of sexual assaults are reported each year on mixed-sex mental health wards in England. Which it says, highlights the urgent need for investment to improve facilities.
The new figures obtained by HSJ show there have been at least 1,019 reports of sexual assaults between men and women on mixed wards from April 2017 to October 2019. In comparison just 286 reports of incidents on single-sex mental health wards over the same period. The figures show that, of those reports made on mixed-sex wards, 491 were considered serious enough to refer to safeguarding, and 104 were reported to the police.
HSJ’s figures – provided by 47 mental health trusts out of a total 56 – have sparked calls for government to tighten rules on mixed-sex wards in mental health, and to fund the building improvements, which are often needed.
Full story from the HSJ, 7 January 2020