Private sector joins NHS to cut sex harassment

The Independent Healthcare Prov­iders Network (IHPN) has signed an NHS England workplace charter committing to a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours across the organisation.

Chief executive David Hare said: ‘We are pleased to be one of the early signatories to this charter, to show our commitment on behalf of our own organisation and the wider sector to this subject. 

‘It’s important that the healthcare sector speaks with one voice to condemn all forms of sexual harassment and work together to stamp it out.

‘Healthcare providers have a duty of care to the people that work for them, as well as their patients. 

‘Organisations across the healthcare system need to work together and individually to tackle unwanted, inappropriate and harmful sexual behaviour in the workplace.’

IHPN director of regulation, Dawn Hodgkins added: ‘It is very timely that we should be discussing this subject. We heard a few weeks ago with a damning report in the British Journal of Surgery which showed the extent of appalling behaviour towards female surgeons, with six in ten reporting they’d been the target of sexual harassment from colleagues.’