The Conservative Muslim Forum arranged for a petition relating to single sex wards to be signed by 2134 people.

The petition called on the Government to finally fulfil its manifesto commitment of 1997 to provide every patient with the option of single sex wards in NHS hospitals.

The Healthcare Commission’s annual inpatient survey published in May 2008 showed that:

• One in four patients (24 per cent) had to share a sleeping area with the opposite sex when first admitted to a hospital ward.
• One in five patients (18 per cent) had to share a sleeping area with the opposite sex when moved to a second ward.
• Nearly a third of patients (30 per cent) had to use the same bathroom or shower area as the opposite sex.

The above situation is unacceptable and needs to be put right with urgency.

The photograph shows Lord Sheikh with senior members of the Conservative Muslim Forum presenting the petition to Mr Andrew Lansley CBE MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health.

Mr Andrew Lansley will now pass the petition to the Secretary of State for Health and pursue the matter further.