BLACKWATER LAW, Medical negligence solicitors, have analysed NHS data that highlights how Wye Valley NHS Trust has recorded the fifth highest number of mixed-sex accommodation (MSA) breaches across all NHS Trusts in England. The Trust reported 193 incidents in December 2025.
These figures highlight ongoing challenges within the NHS infrastructure and raise serious concerns about the impact on patient privacy and dignity.
MSA breaches occur when patients in non-emergency settings are placed in sleeping areas or share bathroom or toilet facilities with members of the opposite sex, in breach of NHS privacy standards. Such situations undermine the dignity and comfort patients should expect during their care.
Jason Brady, Partner and Head of Medical Negligence at Blackwater Law, said: “Mixed-sex accommodation breaches in NHS wards are a concern. These are breaches of NHS privacy standards based on their own policies.
“These breaches can cause a loss of privacy and dignity for patients and can also cause psychological distress, especially for those who are already vulnerable.
Patients may feel exposed and anxious in mixed environments in these circumstances, which can adversely affect their well-being and recovery. Maintaining single-sex wards isn’t just about meeting NHS policy, it is about maintaining standards of patient safety and avoiding the risk of patient harm.”
According to NHS guidelines, patients should generally not be required to share sleeping spaces or facilities with the opposite sex. While exceptions exist for clinically urgent cases, such as emergency or critical care, these should be rare, and healthcare providers must act swiftly to minimise any breach and safeguard patient privacy.
Healthcare providers are also tasked with keeping patients and their families fully informed when breaches occur, detailing the reasons behind the situation, the corrective steps being taken, and the expected timeframe for resolution.
Since the NHS began monitoring MSA breaches in 2010, progress has been made, but the latest data indicates that some trusts still face significant challenges in consistently delivering same-sex accommodation.
Ensuring compliance with MSA policies remains essential—not just as a regulatory requirement, but as a key element of delivering dignified, patient-focused care.
