It was reported last week that the Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust faced nearly £100,000 in fines for breaking a ban on mixed-sex wards – but ended up not having to pay.

NHS trusts risk a fine of £250 per patient each time they break the rules. GWH could have faced fines of £99,250 during the 12 months to August.

But clinical commissioning groups have the right to waive fines and Swindon's decided not to enforce those potential penalties.

Here is what you told us on Facebook....

Kirstin Mcvicker: “Anyone who has ever visited any NHS hospital for whatever reason will know how short beds are!

“I love my job, but the politics, rules and big wigs ruin it every single hour.”

Helen Raven: “Let’s hope the money stays in Swindon because the hospital needs it.”

Emma Beckett: “I would be more concerned about getting the right treatment for whatever I was in there for!”

Husniye Mason: “I was in A&E Thursday night and there were three patients in beds who were led there presumably waiting for a bed on a ward.

“I’d rather be in with a mixed-sex ward getting treated than left out in a corridor.”

Catherine Milligan: “I couldn’t care less where they put me as long as I am being treated.”

Jeanette Gale: “If I was needing treatment I would not care if I was put in a mixed ward or put in men’s ward, there are curtains for each bed.

“And as for a fine, it is ridiculous and pathetic, especially when the hospital needs the money. Come on!”

Luis Sheppard: “You are there to be looked after and made well again, not make ridiculous demands such as that.”

Wez Taylor: “I’m sure at the time getting everyone medical attention was more important… now there are attempts to fine them for doing the best they could. What a joke!”

Kimberley Tribe: “If you’ve ever stayed in hospital and been rather ill, you would not want to be in a mixed ward.

“Many patients are elderly and wonder with in just an open-backed gown which is rather embarrassing for them. I don’t believe they should be fined for it though.”

Catherine Queen: “How can mixed-sex toilets be ok in schools and play centres but not on wards in hospitals.”

Tracey Thomas: “To be honest, we have one hospital that isn’t big enough for all the sick people that need it.

“We need another hospital and one that deals mainly with the elderly and also there needs to be something done with parents taking children to hospital with coughs and colds that isn’t an emergency.

“I was sat waiting to be seen with my daughter, who had knocked herself, out and it was full of children with coughs and colds. It terrible in A&E.

“I’ve been to the hospital, people on trolleys are all over the place, mainly the elderly. This is why a second hospital that deals with the elderly and children would be amazing.”

Lucy Curtis: “To fine a hospital over actually caring and treating a patient is beyond stupid. The NHS hardly has money to pay and retain staff, let alone pay out for fines.

“Over the last few years, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in hospital. Both main wards have been mixed-sex.

“I didn’t care, I was just grateful that I was being looked after and was getting better.”

Sinead Paghan: “Improving rather than punitive measures are preferable and if the hospital can be helped instead of hindered then all the better.

“What would you rather? A mixed ward or no bed. Sometimes hospitals have no choice, it’s either break a ‘rule’ or send the person home.”

Di Franks: “It matters a lot to some people. Especially the elderly and other people have genuine concerns about being in a mixed ward.”

Vincent Bown: “I wouldn’t like to hear of a young lady who is feeling very vulnerable whilst ill being placed in an uncomfortable position, or a mature lady who has spent a large percentage of her life quite sheltered now feeling so vulnerable.

“Another case of common sense should prevail rules and regulations just complicate the matter.”

Jan Cross: “The hospital is so packed to the rafters with patients, at least they have beds.”

Melissa England: “If I’m so ill I have to be in hospital all I care is that I get treated.”

Vanessa Pereira: “It doesn’t even matter as far as you are being treated.”

Jo Bains: “Isn’t it better that patients who are in need of care are in a bed, in the hospital and getting the medical help they need? I’d certainly rather be care for, than worry if it’s a guy or a girl next to me!”

Laila Taqvi Haider: “I wouldn’t want a man in the next bed.”