FIGURES have revealed that a rule preventing patients of different sexes from sharing the same ward was breached dozens of times at the University Hospitals Dorset over a six-month period.

The Patients Association said the violations are an "affront to patients' dignity" and added that it is concerned over an increase in breaches nationally.

Hospitals have been expected to eliminate mixed-sex wards except in justified situations, such as in intensive care since 2010.

But NHS England figures show that between October and March, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust recorded 34 breaches of mixed-sex accommodation rules.

This was compared to 54 breaches in the five months between October 2019 and February 2020, the latest comparable period.

Data was not recorded between March 2020 and September 2021 because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

In April 2021, a policy to fine trusts a blanket rate of £250 for each breach of the rules was also dropped by the NHS.

The single-sex rules apply to sleeping accommodation, which includes any area where patients are admitted on beds or trolleys even if they do not stay overnight.

A spokesperson from University Hospitals Dorset, said: “We're committed to eliminating mixed-sex accommodation, except in specialist clinical areas like critical care.

“Regrettably, this may not always be possible, including at times of extreme operational pressures.

“Every breach is investigated, and the cause identified to help us understand the reasons behind them.

“Our staff work hard to ensure patient privacy and dignity is maintained at all times.”

Across England, 16,576 breaches were recorded between October and March, up from 12,947 between October 2019 and February 2020, and the highest number for the period since 2010-11.

Between October 2014 and March 2015, there were just 1,740 breaches nationally.

The Patients Association said it understands the challenges the NHS faced during the pandemic, but it must now restore services to pre-Covid levels.

Rachel Power, chief executive of the charity which campaigns on behalf of patients, said: "The figures for March are of great concern, mixed sex wards are an affront to patients’ dignity.

"No patient wants to receive intimate, personal care on a mixed sex ward, and it's the sort of stress that doesn't promote recovery."