Our policies and procedures

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust aims to ensure that its policies and practice development meet the needs of all staff and service users, and that they do not disadvantage any groups or individuals. Equality Analysis (EA) provides a systematic way to ensure legal obligations are met and are a practical way of examining new and existing policies and practices to determine what effect they may have on Equality for those affected by the outcomes. Our policies and procedures are regularly reviewed. Policies and procedures can be accessed by making an FOI request. Freedom of Information Act Lead, Trinity House, 110-120 Upper Pemberton, Eureka Park, Kennington, Ashford, Kent TN25 4AZ Or kcht.foi@NHS.net

Our policies

Other policies and procedures

Single sex declaration

KCHFT is pleased to confirm that we are compliant with the Governments principles to eliminate mixed-sex accommodation and it has been eliminated from our community hospitals. Exceptions are only made when it is in the patient’s overall best interest, or reflects their personal choice.

We have the necessary facilities, resources and culture to ensure that patients who are admitted to our hospitals will only share the room where they sleep with members of the same sex, and same-sex toilets and bathrooms will be close to their bed area. Washing and toilet facilities are in close proximity to their bed area and sharing such facilities with the opposite sex will only happen by exception based on clinical need and with patient consent.

Since the Trust was established on 1 April 2011we are pleased to confirm that there have been no circumstances where the standard was breached, except on one occasion based on clinical need. Should there be a circumstance where this standard is breached we will report it to the commissioners of our services. Compliance of the standard will be monitored and reported monthly to the Trust Board by the Director of Nursing and Quality.

As a patient you can expect to receive The room where your bed is will only have patients of the same-sex as you.

Your toilet and bathroom will be just for your gender, and will be close to your bed area. You may have to cross a ward corridor to reach your bathroom, but you will not have to walk through opposite-sex areas.

You may share some communal space, such as dining rooms, and it is very likely that you will see both men and women patients in the hospital.

The staff that care for you during your stay will be both male and female. There may be situations when the need to provide highly specialised care takes priority. Should you
require care in mixed-sex accommodation we will explain why this is happening to you and your relatives or carers, and we will ensure that your privacy and dignity is respected at all times.

We welcome feedback from patients about their experiences at kentcht.nhs.uk/talktous