“I know hundreds of female doctors who’ve been assaulted, thousands who’ve been harassed, and a decent number who’ve been raped within the NHS.”
A collaborative investigation published today by The BMJ and The Guardian has unveiled troubling findings regarding the safety and well-being of staff and patients within NHS trusts. Between 2017 and 2022, more than 35,000 incidents of rape, sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and abusive remarks were documented, indicating a failure on the part of NHS trusts to adequately protect individuals. These distressing revelations have prompted calls for an independent inquiry to address the issue.
The data, obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from 212 NHS trusts and 37 police forces in England, shed light on a total of 35,606 sexual safety incidents reported across NHS premises during the five-year period under review.
Disturbingly, it was discovered that at least 20% of the incidents involved acts of rape, sexual assault, or non-consensual kissing or touching. However, not all trusts provided a detailed breakdown of the specific types of incidents recorded. The remaining cases encompassed instances of sexual harassment, stalking, and the use of abusive or degrading language.
Further analysis of the data revealed that the majority of incidents (58%) were perpetrated by patients against NHS staff, while the second most prevalent category (20%) involved patients targeting fellow patients.
In parallel, police records indicated nearly 12,000 reported sexual crimes occurring on NHS premises during the same timeframe. Among these distressing cases were 180 instances of child rape involving individuals under the age of 16, with four children in this age group subjected to gang rape.
Shockingly, the investigation also exposed a disconcerting reality: fewer than one in 10 NHS trusts possess a dedicated policy aimed at addressing sexual assault and harassment. Moreover, these trusts are no longer obligated to report incidents of staff abuse to a centralized database.
Latifa Patel, BMA workforce and equalities lead, says she assumes that trusts without dedicated sexual safety policies are “sitting on huge numbers of unreported incidents,” which she describes as “a truly disturbing implication
Latifa Patel, the workforce and equalities lead at BMA, expresses her belief that healthcare organizations lacking dedicated sexual safety policies are “sitting on huge numbers of unreported incidents.” She describes this implication as “a truly disturbing implication.”
According to the data, out of the total 212 trusts surveyed between 2017 and 2022, only 193 reported 10 or fewer incidents involving staff-on-staff incidents. However, medical professionals find these figures “implausible” considering the size of their workforce and assert that there is a reluctance among staff to report incidents of sexual assault.
Simon Fleming, an orthopaedic registrar and the author of the book titled “Sexual Assault in Surgery: a Painful Truth,” expressed his deep concern about the widespread issue of assault and harassment experienced by female doctors.
“I know hundreds of female doctors who’ve been assaulted, thousands who’ve been harassed, and a decent number who’ve been raped within the NHS.”
According to an investigation, a concerning number of over 4,000 NHS staff members were accused of various misconducts, including rape, sexual assault, harassment, stalking, or abusive remarks towards colleagues or patients between 2017 and 2022. Shockingly, disciplinary action was taken against only 576 individuals involved.
A troubling trend has been observed when it comes to addressing complaints made against colleagues within the NHS. Women have reported that NHS trusts exhibit a “reluctance to suspend perpetrators due to overall staff shortages,” as stated by Deeba Syed, the senior legal officer for Rights of Women, a helpline providing support for women who have experienced sexual assault or harassment at work.
In response to these distressing findings, multiple organizations and unions, including the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the Liberal Democrats, the Hospital Doctors Union, the GMB union, the Society of Radiologists, and the British Dietetic Association, have jointly called for an independent inquiry into the pervasive issue of sexual assault within the NHS.
Fleur Curtis, aged 43, shared her personal experience, revealing that she had been subjected to sexual assault on three separate occasions by a junior doctor between 2016 and 2017 while working as a physician associate at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford. Fleur Curtis disclosed to The BMJ that the inadequate handling of her complaint by the trust had a significant impact on her mental well-being, ultimately leading her to resign from her position in 2020.
What can be done about it?
Trusts should adhere to NHS-wide guidelines concerning the handling of allegations, which encompass appropriate measures such as staff suspensions and reporting individuals to the police. Swift and decisive actions must be taken by the trusts to address complaints, as emphasized by Tamzin Cuming and Carrie Newlands from the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery. This sentiment is echoed by other individuals who also recognize the urgency for immediate action.
“Employers must ensure that victims are supported and feel empowered to report sexual harm and resolve to take appropriate action,” says Patel. “It is heartbreaking to see the extent to which the NHS has failed to provide this safety to patients and healthcare staff.”
In an official statement, Health Secretary Steve Barclay announced that the government has implemented a significant measure to enhance the protection of healthcare workers. The maximum sentence for individuals found guilty of assaulting healthcare professionals has been doubled, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing this issue. Furthermore, close collaboration between the government and NHS England is underway to actively prevent and diminish incidents of violence against healthcare staff.
In a thought-provoking opinion article, Simon Fleming emphasizes the collective responsibility we all bear in holding sexual predators within the NHS accountable. Fleming warns that failure to act or speak up against such misconduct could result in us becoming complicit bystanders, allowing these offenders to go unpunished. It is crucial for each individual to take a proactive stance and contribute to maintaining a safe and secure environment within the healthcare sector.
“Criminal behaviour should be dealt with seriously, regardless of who has committed the crime,” he argues. “Failure to challenge, individually or organisationally, these attitudes is akin to accepting them as ‘just how things are.’”
According to an opinion piece authored by Rosalind Searle from the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow, the absence of proper documentation, investigation, and action regarding incidents of sexual harassment and abuse within the healthcare system has allowed perpetrators to thrive. Searle highlights the importance of implementing three essential measures—self-regulation, social accountability, and legal interventions—to effectively combat these violations in both workplace and societal settings.
Source: 10.1136/bmj.p1105
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