Airedale NHS Trust chairman Colin Millar reminded the board that from 2010/11 the hospital would face financial penalties if it continued to accommodate patients on mixed-sex wards without good reason.
He was reporting back from a conference staged last Wednesday, which was addressed by Health Secretary Alan Johnson and NHS chief executive David Nicholson.
The Government wants to almost entirely eradicate mixed-sex wards throughout the UK. From the 2010/11 financial year hospitals will only be paid for the treatment of a patient on a mixed-sex ward if this can be clinically justified.
Mr Millar said Mr Johnson also assured delegates there would be no cuts in the NHS budget.
However, he said Mr Nicholson warned the organisation would encounter a harsher economic environment in 2011 and 2012.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here