Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle incidents of sexual assault against NHS staff.

There is no place for sexual misconduct, violence, abuse, or harassment in the National Health Service. NHS leaders have a statutory duty of care to look after their patients and staff. They must provide an environment for every person using or working in their services to be sexually safe.

Tackling sexual harassment and assault of NHS staff is one of NHS England’s top priorities and they are working with NHS organisations to ensure this is prioritised at every level. They have established a Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence programme to build on existing safeguarding processes. As a part of the new programme, they are carrying out a review of policies, support and training relating to staff who experience domestic abuse and sexual violence. This will create a ‘gold standard’ that will be available to integrated care boards, trusts and royal colleges.