Do patients really mind mixed sex bays in an emergency assessment unit?

Mixed sex bays are a reality on most Emergency Assessment Units (EAU). However, they are controversial having recently been the focus of political and media attention. We adapted a validated patient satisfaction questionnaire to seek the views of 1000 emergency admissions regarding mixed sex accommodation. Of 1000 respondents, 925 (92%) had been in bays and 665 (66%) shared with the opposite sex. Most 579/665 (87%) were comfortable with this, 97% (966/1000) feeling there was sufficient level of privacy, all (1000/1000) felt they were given privacy when needed. When asked "given the nature and function of EAU would you be willing to share with the opposite sex if it meant a shorter stay?", 857 (86%) said yes. Our study demonstrates that whilst single sex accommodation is ideal it is not the most important factor to most patients admitted to EAU.