NHS England has requested ICBs to send information regarding prevention of Sexual Harassment at work to general practices. This includes a self-assessment checklist, advice for all staff to complete online training, advice to sign the Sexual safety in healthcare – organisational charter, and to reviewchaperoning policies.There are no current contractual or other requirement to complete any of these. The NHS letter to ICBs regarding this can be found here.
Sexual harassment is a significant problem in many organisations including the NHS. The 2023 survey of NHS Trust Staff included a question on sexual safety. The results showed 8.67 per cent of staff reported unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature from patients/service users, their relatives, or other members of the public, and 3.84 per cent from staff/colleagues. This equates to over 58,000 and 25,000 staff, respectively. The LMC supports that everyone working within general practices should not be subjected to sexual harassment.
All employers, including general practices have a legal duty to protect staff. Section 40A of the Equalities Act 2010 says “An employer must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees … in the course of their employment.” Primary Medical Services contracts (GMS, PMS and APMS) require practices to comply with all relevant legislation.
General practices may find it helpful to work through the checklist. If your practice wishes to sign up to the charter, click here.