NHS England has launched a new policy to enable staff to anonymously report incidents of sexual misconduct.

The announcement comes as part of major plans to improve staff safety across the health service.

Launching the policy, chief executive Amanda Pritchard said that she hopes that any member of staff who experiences sexual abuse will feel they can speak up and should have every confidence that they will be listened to, supported, and that appropriate action will be taken. 

The new framework has been issued to hospitals and is available to adopt from 16 October. It outlines how those working in the health service should recognise, report and act on sexual misconduct in the workplace.

The new policy includes an additional route for staff to report sexual abuse via an anonymous form if they do not feel comfortable disclosing their name and personal details but want the incident to be properly investigated.

It also includes new guidance for those conducting investigations following a disclosure from a colleague, including forming a specialist review group with access to subject matter experts and independent investigators, and a detailed set of steps to ensure the right support has been offered.

According to NHS England, this is one of the most comprehensive public sector and employer packages to tackle sexual misconduct in the workplace.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said: “For anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or misconduct at work, it is an extremely distressing and isolating experience, and so we must do everything in our power to ensure our staff feel able to speak up, and have absolute confidence that they will be given the support they need when they do.

“This new national policy will help colleagues right across the NHS to ensure they are taking the right steps in recognising, reporting and acting on sexual misconduct at work, and by introducing the option of anonymous reporting we are making it easier for staff to come forward to report issues – it marks our serious commitment to stamping out this horrendous behaviour.

“There is absolutely no place for sexual misconduct or abuse of any kind within the NHS – a place where staff come to work every day to provide compassionate care and support to others, and we know that women are more likely to be affected – this is unacceptable, and we must not tolerate it.

“While this is just one of the first steps to ending harmful sexual behaviour in the NHS, and more action is needed, I strongly encourage every leader across the NHS to look at how they adopt these measures from today, to ensure that when our staff come to work, they feel safe and supported – together we can make a difference.”

All employees, contractors, agency staff, volunteers and temporary workers are expected to comply.

Staff who have experienced sexual abuse may be offered a range of pastoral support, including reasonable adjustments, and special leave if required.

Trusts are being asked to bring in additional senior level oversight with members of the executive board responsible for monitoring data on sexual misconduct, including the annual staff survey results. 

The policy has been developed in partnership with those with lived experience, and trade unions, colleagues in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, academics experts and system leaders.

The announcement comes on the back of a new legal duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace which came into force earlier this month.

The 2023/24 NHS staff survey for England showed that one in eight workers (around 58,000 people) had reported experiencing unwanted sexual behaviour last year, while one in 26 reported experiencing similar harassment from a work colleague.

NHS England is also investing up to £2.3 million in the development of a national domestic abuse and sexual violence data infrastructure.

Steve Russell, NHS England’s chief delivery officer, said: “The most recent NHS staff survey highlighted that sexual misconduct is a problem right across the health service with tens of thousands of workers experiencing sexual harassment from patients, relatives, and other members of the public.

“It is only right that we tackle this at a national level and provide NHS organisations with a unified policy and clear guidance that means incidents of sexual misconduct are dealt with equally and correctly across the whole system.”

Navina Evans, NHS England’s chief workforce officer, said: “All staff have the right to feel safe at work and as employers we need to ensure that there are safeguards in place to protect those rights.

“This new policy framework reinforces our commitment to tackling sexual misconduct and harmful behaviour in the NHS and will help to ensure any member of staff who has experienced unwanted sexual behaviour at work is empowered to speak up and has safe reporting procedures in place.”

The new policy covers sexual misconduct connected to work or the workplace, which can include things such as sexual comments or jokes; unwanted touching or kissing; showing sexual pictures; staring at someone in a sexual way; asking personal questions about someone’s sex life; and sexual assault or rape.

Dr Becky Cox, co-founder of surviving in scrubs, said: “We are delighted to see NHSE’s new sexual safety policy, e-learning and resources published. These resources form the groundwork for any responsible healthcare organisation seeking to address the issue of sexual safety for their staff. We hope these will increase awareness of sexual safety and empower staff with the tools to support survivors and hold perpetrators to account.”

Damien McGuinness, London Ambulance Service, said: “This new guidance is a trailblazing step in ensuring that all NHS staff are fully supported and protected by their employer.

“The London Ambulance Service has worked closely with NHS England and other partners in developing this guidance, and the NHS sexual safety charter that underpins it, and are committed to a zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct.

“Our workforce are the beating heart of the NHS, and it’s our responsibility to provide an environment where every member feels safe when they come to work.”