The British Government, which had earlier announced to impose a fine on hospitals for treating both men and women in the same wards, today said that the hospital trusts can break away from the fine if they have been heading any plans of eliminate these wards.

As per the data collected from the Government officials, nearly 5% of the hospital trusts in the country still have their mixed sex wards working, for more than 13 years since the Government had first determined to eradicate them.

The resolution was a part of the election manifestoes of the parties in 1997 and 2001. However, in 2009 a number of hospital trusts had admitted that they have been pursuing the mixed sex wards for the treatment of patients.

Following this, the then Health Secretary Alan Johnson, had proclaimed the hospitals which would be treating the patients in mixed sex wards would not receive their pay for providing healthcare any further.

"Hospitals who fail in their duty to protect patients' privacy will be financially penalized as we will not foot the bill for care that has taken place in mixed sex accommodation", he had said.

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman yesterday said that it is sad to know that 5% of the hospital trusts are still running these wards.

"It's completely unacceptable that one in 20 Trusts has failed to meet a target that ministers must have thought was entirely achievable".