FOI240124: Mixed-sex accommodation breaches and complaints

Released 3 June 2024

Request:

1. The number of Mixed Sex Accommodation breaches relating to the last 3 fiscal years (2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24) individually
2. The total number of reported breaches relating to where men have been placed into women’s accommodation within the same time period
3. The total number of reported breaches relating to where women have been placed into men’s accommodation within the same time period
4. The total number of patient complaints, concerns or comments received by your PALS Department relating to alleged mixed sex accommodation breaches within the same time period
5. The total number of patient complaints, concerns or comments received by your PALS Department reported as having a Ko41 category of ‘patient privacy, dignity and respect ‘ within the same time period

Information disclosed:

1. This data is collected and published by NHS England and is available from their website. Since the information requested is reasonably accessible via other means, section 21 exemption of the FOI is applicable.

Please note that data for the period March 2020 – September 2021 was not collected due to the pandemic (COVID-19).

2-3. The Trust does not routinely compile this data nor do we hold this level of detail relevant to these breaches.

It is important to note in these circumstances that the Trust is not required under the terms of the Act to create ‘new’ information for the purpose of answering a FOI request.

According to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office, where the provision of information will require complex analysis and a high level of skill and judgement to produce, this would amount to creating information not already held. An assessment of the work involved in providing the level of detail you are seeking concluded that it meets the criteria of information ‘not held’ under this guidance.

 4.  During the period 2021/22 – 2023/24, less than 5 complaints were received by PALS that met these criteria.

 5.  Please refer to the table below for the total number of concerns/comments or formal complaints received by PALS over the periods requested.