NHS standards will make NHS employers formally accountable for how they treat their workforce on key issues for the first time.
The standards will measure performance on tackling racism, violence and improving sexual safety in public league tables.
The new standards have been developed in partnership NHS England, NHS trade unions and staff representatives through the Social Partnership Forum. They cover six key areas: violence prevention and reduction; championing sexual safety; tackling racism; promoting flexible working; line management; and health and wellbeing support.
In the most recent Staff Survey, for the second year in a row, there was an increase in the percentage of staff who’d personally experienced violence at work from patients, their relatives or other members of the public (14.47 per cent).
Minister for Secondary Care Karin Smyth said: "NHS staff are the backbone of our health service, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The levels of racism, violence and sexual harassment reported by staff are completely unacceptable, and for too long there has been no formal accountability for employers to address them.
"These new standards – a 10 Year Health Plan commitment – change that. For the first time, how Trusts treat their employees will be measured and published, because we know that when staff are supported, patients get better care. This government is determined to make the NHS the best employer it can be, and these standards are a landmark step in delivering on that promise."
Professor Habib Naqvi, chief executive, NHS Race and Health Observatory, said: "We welcome the launch of the NHS Staff Standard for tackling racism. It brings vital focus to leadership, accountability, transparency and structural change needed across the health service.
"Our diverse workforce is the backbone of the NHS, delivering outstanding care under pressure. Staff deserve to be valued, supported and protected. Yet, for too long, ethnic minority staff have faced compromised safety, inconsistent reporting and inadequate responses. Implementing national minimum standards for how healthcare organisations prevent, respond to, and learn from incidents of racism is an essential step forward.
"The standard must now be backed by systemic action, evidence-based interventions and leadership accountability. Our ‘7 Principles of Anti-Racism for the NHS Workforce’ will help to create equitable, inclusive workplaces – we stand ready to support organisations as they embed these standards."
