NHS trusts across England broke a rule preventing patients of different sexes from being treated on the same ward nearly 50,000 times last year, new figures show.
The total number of breaches has soared since the Covid pandemic, with a charity saying it is unacceptable that patient dignity and privacy is compromised.
The NHS rule, which was introduced in 2010, says hospitals must eliminate mixed-sex wards except for in certain circumstances such as when patients choose to share wards with the opposite sex or require highly specialised care.
Despite an initial reduction across England, the number of breaches steadily increased between 2014 and 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic caused a significant upturn.
The latest data from NHS England shows there were 49,100 breaches in the year to November – more than double the 19,700 logged in the year to November 2019, the latest comparable data before the pandemic.
The latest 12 months saw more breaches than any other 12-month period with complete data, while November’s 3,983 instances were higher than any other November since records began in 2011.
Data was not recorded between March 2020 and September 2021 because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, while a policy to fine trusts £250 per breach of the rule was dropped in April 2021.
The single-sex rule applies to sleeping accommodation, which includes any area where patients are admitted on beds or trolleys – even if they do not stay overnight.
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: “The alarming increases to breaches of mixed-sex accommodation is deeply concerning for patients.
“While we recognise the immense pressures currently facing the NHS, compromises to patient dignity and privacy are unacceptable and should not become the norm.
“The Government and NHS England leaders must urgently work together to prioritise dignified care, ensuring all patients are treated with the respect and privacy they deserve.”
The rolling 12-month average breach rate, which is the number of breaches per 1,000 finished treatments, peaked at 2.4 earlier this year and sat at 2.3 in the year to November.
They are the highest figures since the year to November 2012.
It comes after a damning report into the state of the NHS found patients are sitting for days in chairs – so-called “chair care” – because of a lack of beds, patients crowding corridors, delays to treatment and the elderly unable to get help because of no call bells and not enough staff.
A spokesperson for NHS England said: “The NHS is committed to offering same sex accommodation and there is more to do to eliminate unjustified breaches.
“We recognise this is challenging for NHS trusts, especially at times of extreme pressures on services – and ensuring the privacy and dignity of patients remains paramount when same sex accommodation cannot be provided.”