ICBs are to receive training materials and policies on how to respond appropriately to disclosures of sexual misconduct or abuse, according to a letter from NHS England.
The letter to ICBs and trusts, published 12 April, was sent following the publication of the NHS staff survey which asked questions on unwanted sexual behaviour for the first time.
It found that 8% of staff said they had been the target of at least one incident on unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature in the past 12 months.
The letter reiterated that all systems have been asked to sign up to the sexual safety in healthcare charter, launched in September 2023, and added that it would be providing further support to systems to support the implementation of this.
This support includes:
- Policies on both sexual misconduct and domestic abuse developed by an expert advisory group including trade union representation,
- Training materials, including on how to respond appropriately to disclosures of sexual misconduct or abuse,
- Improved support offers for staff,
- A toolkit signposting to sources of further support following a disclosure.
It also said that every ICB had appointed a domestic abuse and sexual violence lead after they were asked to do so last year.
Steve Russell, chief delivery officer and senior responsible officer for domestic abuse and sexual violence at NHS England, wrote in the letter: ‘This is a crucial opportunity for the NHS. I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure the healthcare system is a place in which sexual misconduct, violence, harassment and abuse are not tolerated.
‘Our healthcare system must be a place of safety, offering a safe space for victims and survivors of sexual misconduct to seek support.’
It comes as our sister title Pulse has launched an investigation into sexism in general practice which has found imbalances at leadership level and that female GPs still face sexist attitudes and harassment in the practice.
