The NHS Staff Survey for England in 2023 revealed alarming levels of sexual harassment and discrimination towards healthcare workers, with more than 80,000 reports of unwanted sexual behaviour recorded. This annual survey, which gathered insights from over 675,000 NHS employees, disclosed that over a quarter of ambulance staff experienced sexual harassment, with incidences not only from patients and the public but also from colleagues within the NHS.

The detailed findings indicated that 27% of ambulance staff faced harassment from the public, while over 9% reported similar issues from their colleagues. Additionally, the survey threw light on discrimination concerns, with more than 57,000 staff facing discrimination from the public and over 61,000 from managers or colleagues. This ranged across various forms, including racism, sexism, homophobia, and ableism.

Despite some positive trends indicated in the survey, such as improvements in staff morale and reductions in emotional exhaustion, the healthcare sector continues to grapple with issues of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Professor Vivien Lees, from the Royal College of Surgeons, emphasized the importance of a zero-tolerance approach to such misconduct. In response, NHS England has already taken steps to address these issues, including the introduction of a sexual safety charter launched in September to protect staff from unwanted sexual behaviours and ensure a respectful work environment.

These incidents underline the pressing need for the healthcare sector to enhance its efforts in creating a supportive and inclusive workplace, ensuring the protection and well-being of all employees against harassment and discrimination.