UK‑Wide Audit Finds NHS Trusts Still Relying on Outdated Accommodation Policies
A comprehensive audit of single‑sex patient accommodation and staff facility policies across every NHS Trust in the UK has found there is no evidence of any Trust protecting single sex provision, despite the ruling from the Supreme Court in April 2025.
The initial review, conducted between February and July 2025, examined publicly available policies obtained through Freedom of Information requests. Each policy was catalogued and made accessible through an interactive resource, the NHS FOI audit map, hosted by SEEN in Health.
Fresh FOI Responses Suggest Little Has Changed
New FOI responses carried out by citizen journalists received in March 2026 indicate that the vast majority of NHS Trusts have not replaced or updated the policies examined in the 2025 audit. This suggests that many Trusts continue to rely on frameworks that no longer reflect the law.
Campaigners and policy analysts say the findings raise questions about consistency, compliance, and transparency across the health service. Some Trusts have reportedly begun internal reviews, but few have published revised policies.
Why This Matters
Single‑sex accommodation policies sit at the centre of important areas such as patient dignity, safeguarding, and the rights of all people in healthcare settings, leaving Trusts exposed to scrutiny and uncertainty.