HEALTH chiefs have launched an investigation into allegations that two elderly women were sexually assaulted while they were patients on a mixed ward at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

The women, aged 82 and 76, were on a ward waiting to be assessed when they were allegedly assaulted by a male patient.

A man appeared in court on Thursday charged with sexually touching one of them without consent and sexual activity with the other who has a mental disorder.

Last night, 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 allegations are bound to spark fresh controversy over mixed-sex wards.

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

It is understood the women were only on a mixed ward temporarily but MPs are calling for all mixed-sex wards to be scrapped.

Hospital bosses have been working with the police since the alleged assaults and have been in regular touch with the families of the women involved.

A worker at the hospital said: "Staff are often rushed off their feet and can't see what's happening in the units all of the time."

MPs, Age Concern, Help The Aged, patient groups and health leaders are all urging hospital chiefs to separate men and women in every ward at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

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 the money in this way."

Cllr Andy Morgan, chairman of Bolton Council's health scrutiny 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."

Sophie Davison, 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?"

Brendan Paddy, a spokesman for Age Concern said: "Many older people find mixed-sex wards embarrassing 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."

Ten years ago, Labour vowed to scrap mixed-sex wards but last month ministers admitted not all hospital patients were separated by gender.

  • Dean Galley, aged 41, of Long Town Gardens, Halliwell, denied at Bolton Magistrates' Court 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 next appear before magistrates on July 18 for committal to Crown Court.