Hospital wanted to transfer 'sex assault' pensioner to mixed ward

Now her relatives are calling on the Royal Bolton Hospital in Greater Manchester to adopt a single-sex policy on all wards immediately.

Her daughter-in-law said: "I couldn't believe it when the hospital asked if they could move her back on to a mixed-sex ward. We were furious and said no immediately."

Hospital bosses are already investigating claims that the 82-year-old and another female patient, 76, were sexually assaulted five hours apart as they waited on a mixed-sex ward to be assessed.

Hospital staff have been in regular contact with the families of both women since the alleged assaults.

The victims cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The 82-year-old's daughter-in-law said: "We're hoping she isn't aware of what has happened to her.

"She suffers from dementia and hasn't mentioned it at all, but we're terrified that she does remember something but is too proud to tell us."

She had been admitted to hospital with a chest infection from the nursing home where she lives the day before she was allegedly assaulted.

Her daughter-in-law said: "I want to see these wards scrapped, I can't believe old, vulnerable patients are put in this position.

"All wards, without exception, should be single sex. I want hospital management to act immediately and get rid of any mixed wards at the Royal Bolton Hospital. I don't want this to happen to anyone else."

The Royal Bolton Hospital says it abides by national guidelines with the majority of its wards being single sex.

Medical assessment units, high dependency units and intensive care wards are still allowed, by Government statute, to be mixed.

Heather Edwards, head of communication at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said: "We can't discuss this lady's case. Her next of kin have been kept informed throughout. The Royal Bolton complies with national guidance on mixed wards.

"Sometimes members of the public become confused when a ward contains single sex bays, this complies with national guidance as the different sex patients are nursed separately and have different toilet and washing facilities."

Lesley Doherty, director of nursing at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said, "These are very serious charges. We can't go into detail as the issue is sub judice.

"However, people can be assured that we have had an initial check of our procedures and can confirm that they comply with national guidance.

"We will be holding a full internal inquiry into the circumstances which led to the charges. If there are any actions to be taken, these will be implemented promptly."

The alleged incidents have sparked renewed outrage over the existence of mixed-sex wards - nine years after the Labour government pledged to close them.

Councillor Andy Morgan, chairman of Bolton Council's health scruitiny committee said, "It's unacceptable that there are mixed sex wards. This is about dignity and respect.

"I demand there is an urgent inquiry into these allegations. There are no excuses for mixed-sex wards nowadays."

A spokesman for Age Concern said, "Many older people find mixed-sex wards embarassing and uncomfortable, but in the most extreme cases, these wards could put vulnerable older patients at risk of sexual assault.

"Despite Government promises to get rid of mixed sex wards, they still exist. This is an infringement of the dignity and human rights of older people."

A spokesman for Help the Aged said: "Mixed-sex wards are an affront to human dignity. We've been assured time and time again that mixed wards are a thing of the past, yet every day evidence springs up to remind us that this outrage is still with us.

"How many incidences do we need to hear about to get the message through that mixed accommodation is simply not appropriate, especially for the vulnerable and defenceless patients?"

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North-East, said, "I'm certainly not in favour of mixed-sex wards and want to see them scrapped.

"Even if it costs a bit more, I'm sure the majority of the public would support spending money in this way."

• Dean Galley, 41, of Long Town Gardens, Halliwell, has denied charges of sexually touching a woman without consent and sexual activity with a woman with a mental disorder. He has been remanded in custody and will appear in court on July 18.