A daughter has slammed a hospital for failing to provide privacy for patients after her 92-year-old mother saw an elderly man naked in a neighbouring bed.

Val Melvin, 66, of Park Road, Uxbridge, says her mother was shocked when, while on the Pinewood ward at Hillingdon Hospital, she saw the man's exposed genitals through his open gown.

The incident happened last year, but Mrs Melvin says she wants to express her concerns following reports in national media recently about the need for all wards to be single sex in hospitals.

Mrs Melvin said: "I feel so strongly about this, why should anyone be subjected to seeing other patients naked, especially at my mother's age?

"It's embarrassing for both of them. The man probably had dementia and he didn't really know what was happening.

"If you have to use commodes and things, you wouldn't want to be next to a male. We don't subject ourselves to it, so why should we be made to see this when we're in a hospital?"

Cathy Moran, deputy director of nursing, said: "The Trust is mindful of patients needs to have their dignity protected.

"But the age and infrastructure of the building does not easily allow for the optimum standards of privacy and dignity.

"These wards will be relocated to improve the situation and this work is due for completion by September 2009."