On 16 October 2023, UHB signed up to the ‘Sexual Safety in Healthcare – Organisational Charter’. The charter has been developed by NHS England, lived experience organisations, professional bodies, employers and partners across healthcare.

Those who work, train and learn within the healthcare system have the right to be safe and feel supported at work. We need to work together and individually to tackle unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviour in the workplace. We all have a responsibility to ourselves and our colleagues and must act if we witness these behaviours.

Our commitment

As signatories to this charter, we commit to a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours towards our workforce. We commit to the following principles and actions to achieve this.

• We will actively work to eradicate  sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace.
• We will promote a culture that fosters openness and transparency, and does not tolerate unwanted, harmful and/or inappropriate sexual behaviours.
• We will take an intersectional approach to the sexual safety of our workforce, recognising certain groups will experience sexual harassment and abuse at a disproportionate rate.
• We will provide appropriate support for those in our workforce  who experience unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours.
• We will clearly communicate standards of behaviour. This includes expected action for those who witness inappropriate, unwanted and/or harmful sexual behaviour.
• We will ensure  appropriate, specific, and clear policies are in place. They will include appropriate and timely action against alleged perpetrators.
• We  will ensure  appropriate, specific, and clear training is in place.
• We will ensure  appropriate reporting mechanisms are in place for those experiencing these behaviours.
• We will take all reports seriously and appropriate and timely action will be taken in all cases.
• We will capture and share data on prevalence and staff experience transparently.

These commitments will apply to everyone in our organisation equally.

Where any of the above is not currently in place, we commit to work towards ensuring it is in place by July 2024.