The concerns come after a Freedom of Information request to the NHS found that the hospital’s Trust has the second highest number of mixed-sex accommodation breaches across all the NHS Trusts in England.
This means that patients are being placed in sleeping areas or forced to share bathrooms with members of the opposite sex, which is against the NHS’s privacy standards.
In December 2025 alone, 400 incidents were reported.
Medical negligence solicitors at Blackwater Law say this only highlights the ongoing challenges within the NHS, after the Swindon hospital has openly admitted to struggling to find enough beds for patients.
Concerns have been raised about privacy at the Great Western Hospital (Image: Newsquest)
“Mixed-sex accommodation breaches in NHS wards are a concern,” said Jason Brady, Head of Medical Negligence at Blackwater Law.
“These breaches can cause a loss of privacy and dignity for patients and can also cause psychological distress, especially for those who are already vulnerable.
“Patients may feel exposed and anxious in mixed environments in these circumstances, which can adversely affect their well-being and recovery.”
According to NHS guidelines, patients should only be required to share sleeping spaces and bathroom facilities with the opposite sex if they are in emergency situations or critical care.
Even then, the NHS states that these emergency exceptions should be “rare”, and healthcare providers must act swiftly to minimise any breach and safeguard patient privacy.
Great Western Hospital has previously admitted to a shortage of beds with high patient numbers (Image: Gorodenkoff Productions OU/Getty)
Responding to the breaches, the Great Western Hospital Trust has admitted that patients are sometimes treated in a mixed-sex area.
However, the hospital firmly denies any suggestion that this compromises the privacy or dignity of its patients.
“Maintaining the privacy and dignity of our patients is a top priority,” said a spokesperson for the GWH Trust.
“However, during particularly busy periods, when there is a high number of patients needing urgent assessment, it may be necessary to begin care in a mixed-sex acute assessment area before patients are moved to a ward.
“All patients receive the same high standard of care, even if they may spend a short time in a mixed-sex area.”
Since the NHS began monitoring breaches of this nature in 2010, improvements have been made at hospitals across the UK.
However, data indicates that some trusts, such as the Great Western Hospital, still face significant challenges in consistently delivering same-sex accommodation.
“Maintaining single-sex wards isn’t just about meeting NHS policy, ” added Mr Brady.
“It is about maintaining standards of patient safety and avoiding the risk of patient harm.”