Abstract
Aims and MethodTo survey the attitudes of in-patients on an all-female ward to staff gender. All patients were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire which was then repeated on a four-weekly basis for 4 months. Staff members were surveyed once within this period.ResultsOnly 15% of patients (n = 52) wanted all staff members to be female, whereas 87% reported feeling comfortable with male staff; 51% would prefer a predominantly female, mixed-gender staff. All staff (n = 11) were in favour of mixed-gender staffing.Clinical ImplicationsCurrent best practice for staffing single-gender acute in-patient units is unclear. This survey is in line with findings from other studies in that a large majority of female in-patients prefer to be in a unit with mixed staff.
Highlights
Current best practice for staffing single-gender acute in-patient units is unclear. This survey is in line with findings from other studies in that a large majority of female in-patients prefer to be in a unit with mixed staff
In April 2006, Alex House Ground Floor Ward at the Bethlem Royal Hospital was converted from a mixedgender to an all-female in-patient unit but retained its mixed-gender staff
The only additional comments made by patients were about staff ratio - four expressed a preference for an equal male:female staff gender ratio
Summary
Current best practice for staffing single-gender acute in-patient units is unclear. This survey is in line with findings from other studies in that a large majority of female in-patients prefer to be in a unit with mixed staff. Should an acute female in-patient psychiatric unit be staffed by women alone?. In 2002, the Department of Health released a report entitled Women’s Mental Health: Into the Mainstream.[1,2] It focused on the main issues facing psychiatric care for women and suggested that a single-gender unit (staff gender not specified) should be an option for women, stressing their right to choice. There is a fast turnover of patients, with average in-patient stay being 28 days
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