Health professional teaching students in a board room

Researchers find most NHS trusts in England don’t offer sexual harassment prevention training

The majority of NHS trusts in England don’t have training courses to stop sexual harassment, new research has found.

The findings, which come from the University of Cambridge and have been published in JRSM Open, show that fewer than one in five NHS trusts provided active bystander training.

This equips staff members with the tools to recognise and step in when they spot worrying behaviour.

To evaluate the extent to which these training programmes were being rolled out to NHS professionals, the University of Cambridge sent Freedom of Information requests to 213 NHS trusts across England in December 2021.

The researchers found that, of the 199 responses they got, only 35 offered active bystander training, with just five of those saying their training addressed sexual harassment directly. The other 30 indicated their training centred around curbing antisocial behaviour in general.

Ultimately, the researchers found that only one trust delivered training that tackled workplace sexual harassment specifically.

Additionally, only 23 of the 164 trusts that said they don’t offer the training said they had plans to implement it in the future, with one organisation actively working on a scheme that incorporated active bystander training.

Other trusts said they would implement such training if people campaigned for it or saw the need for it, according to the University of Cambridge.

Dr Sarah Steele is the deputy director of the Intellectual Forum at Jesus College which is a part of the University of Cambridge. She said: “The NHS is failing to take advantage of a very effective training tool to address workplace harassment, sexual harassment and other forms of unacceptable behaviour such as bullying and racism. It’s a tool well used by the military, universities and educators, and which even the UN and UK government promotes.

“We found low uptake of active bystander training among NHS Trusts in England, particularly outside of London, and very little of the training that was on offer focused on sexual harassment. This is deeply worrying, given the continued problem of sexual harassment in the healthcare sector.

“Organisations need to encourage active bystander training from the very first days of undergraduate degrees through to the day of retirement. Without this, the problems of sexual harassment will continue to be a problem in the NHS and across wider society.”

Furthermore, the researchers also identified issues with the provision of the training, with 27 out of the 35 trusts using external providers, which rendered the researchers unable to investigate the efficacy of the training.

The researchers also noted that participants couldn’t share training resources as a result of the training being provided by third parties, inhibiting dissemination and more widespread upskilling.

National Health Executive, Jan/Feb, Cover

NHE Jan/Feb 22

The pioneering programmes aimed at solving the NHS workforce pressures - starting at the top

This issue highlights the latest topics within the health sector, from pioneering programmes aimed at solving the NHS workforce pressures, treatment to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease, how the UK is leading the way in cancer research & more!

Videos...

View all videos
National Health Executive Presents

National Health Executive Presents

NHE365 Virtual Events

NHE has created a full calendar of events to address the most important issues that influence the delivery of healthcare services. Over 365 days you'll have the opportunity to hear from a range of highly motivating, informative and inspirational speakers. These speakers will equip you with the knowledge and unique insight to enable you to overcome the challenges that you face.

Finger on the Pulse

Ep 14. Health messaging is a science, Professor Craig Jackson

On Episode 14 of NHE's Finger on the Pulse podcast, we're joined by Professor Craig Jackson, Professor of Occupational Health Psychology
Birmingham City University to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, the health messaging around it and how those in power have missed a trick by overlooking the key role of psychology in informing the public of restrictions, measures and the ever-changing situation

More articles...

View all