DEAN GALLEY AND BOLTON: CALL TO END MIXED-SEX HOSPITAL WARDS

In February 2008, a charity has urged the abolition of mixed-sex hospital wards following a disturbing incident involving Dean Galley, a convicted sex offender, who assaulted an 82-year-old woman with dementia while she was sleeping.

Age Concern described such wards as a 'violation of privacy and dignity' and argued they strip patients of their 'human rights.' The charity's stance came in the wake of the attack at the Royal Bolton Hospital, where Galley, 42, from Long Town Gardens, Halliwell, Bolton, assaulted the elderly patient while she was in a bed beside him.

Galley, who has prior convictions for a sexual act with a child and inciting a child to commit an indecent act, admitted to sexually assaulting the woman. He was subsequently sentenced to an indefinite prison term with the aim of protecting the public and was placed on the sex offenders register. Bolton Crown Court described him as a 'danger to society.'

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, stated: “Patients don’t want to share the same space with people of the opposite sex and should not have to. Not only is it a huge infringement of their dignity and privacy, this case shows there are also personal safety issues. The government must stop the use of mixed-sex wards and provide facilities that respect people’s human rights.”

This call for change followed the government’s admission that it had abandoned plans to eliminate mixed-sex wards. Health Minister Lord Darzi informed the House of Lords that Labour’s manifesto promises from 1997 and 2001 'cannot be met.'

A separate report from the Mental Health Act Commission highlighted potential risks of sexual abuse for mentally ill patients housed on mixed wards. Galley, who had previously been convicted of stabbing his wife in 1998, was admitted to the hospital in July to treat alcoholism and liver damage.

A hospital staff member heard the victim shout, 'Get off me,' and rushed to her bedside, only to find Galley had leapt back into his bed, naked. Judge Timothy Clayson condemned the use of mixed wards in his sentencing remarks following Galley's trial.

Galley will be eligible to apply for parole in 10 months, having already spent 239 days in custody.