Sexual safety in the NHS
This page provides information and resources that can be used by employers, trade unions and staff in NHS organisations to improve sexual safety and tackle sexual harassment.
Statements from the SPF co-chairs
The SPF co-chairs gave the following statements on sexual harassment in the NHS:
Sara Gorton, SPF trade union chair said: “Harassment of any form is simply wrong. Staff working in the NHS must be able to do their jobs without fear of any kind of abuse, let alone sexually motivated insults and attacks. Making sure staff are safe and treated with respect is a crucial part of creating safe and compassionate workplaces. I urge local partnerships to start a constructive and honest conversation about addressing sexual harassment in the workplace.”
Danny Mortimer, SPF employer chair, said: “NHS organisations have clear policies in place to deal with reports of harassment or bullying. It is not always easy for concerns to be raised – especially when the perpetrators are in positions of authority or patients, but it is important staff report incidents. Most NHS organisations have specially trained staff in place to help colleagues raise concerns about such utterly abhorrent behaviour. Freedom to speak up guardians as well as Guardians of Safe Working, chaplaincy, trade union and HR staff are also on hand to offer support.”
What are staff experiencing?
The BMJ and Guardian collected data on sexual safety incidents, the responses show that more than 35 000 sexual safety incidents were reported to 212 NHS trusts in England between 2017 and 2022.
An article on Sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape by colleagues in the surgical workforce, published in 2023, revealed 63.3 per cent of women reported being the target of sexual harassment.
A survey in 2021, of 2,500 doctors by the British Medical Association (BMA) found a third of female and a quarter of male respondents had experienced unwanted physical conduct in the workplace.
A survey by UNISON and the Nursing Times in 2021 revealed 60 per cent of nursing staff had experienced sexual harassment at work. These results show this is an issue affecting many NHS staff and it needs to be addressed.
Sexual safety in healthcare organisational charter
In September 2023, NHS England (NHSE) launched a sexual safety charter. Health and care organisations are asked to commit to a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours within the workplace, and ten core principles and actions, by July 2024. Learn more and find out how to sign the charter on NHSE's website.
