Your report on the sexual harassment faced by doctors around the world is disturbing, but sadly it is a reality for many working in the NHS (Nearly half of doctors are sexually harassed by patients, survey finds, 9 September). Perhaps even more disturbing is the idea that this kind of abuse is something doctors feel they just have to put up with.
Desensitization to sexual harassment can mean that incidents go unreported and the physician does not seek appropriate support. Experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment from a patient can have a lasting and profound impact on mental health, which can be detrimental to both the individual and patient care. It can also lead to physicians having to take time off or leave their healthcare profession altogether.
The zero tolerance for abuse policy must be strictly enforced across the NHS, so that all healthcare workers feel that their safety is a priority and report all forms of abuse. More broadly, there is a growing need to establish additional training requirements for NHS staff to deal with abuse and harassment – whether it is sexual, physical or verbal. The prevalence of sexual harassment in healthcare is an issue we are discussing at the Medical Protection Society, to see how we can best support those affected.
Prof Jane Dacre
Chairman, Medical Protection Society