The National Health Service has taken a significant step towards improving working conditions for its staff by introducing landmark standards aimed at tackling racism, violence, and sexual harassment. These new measures will hold employers accountable for the well-being of their workforce, with performance in these critical areas to be publicly measured and published.
Developed with input from NHS England, trade unions, and staff representatives, the six key areas covered by the standards include preventing violence and reducing aggression towards staff, promoting a safe working environment for patients, tackling racism and ensuring equal treatment, enhancing line management practices, providing flexible working options, and offering robust support for staff's health and wellbeing. This marks a first for the NHS, with employers now facing mandated accountability for staff experience in these specific domains.
The introduction of these standards is a direct response to worrying statistics from recent Staff Surveys. Notably, the percentage of staff who have personally experienced violence at work has increased for two consecutive years, reaching 14.47% in the latest survey. Despite the NHS's stated zero-tolerance policy towards racism and violence against staff or patients, these figures are a concern that needs addressing.
From July 2026, NHS Trusts operating in secondary care will be required to meet these new standards. Compliance will be assessed through a headline metric within the NHS Oversight Framework (NOF), which combines performance indicators such as waiting times and A&E performance with staff survey results. This means that how effectively a Trust supports its staff will directly influence its overall rating.
The government sees these standards as crucial in fulfilling its commitment to making the NHS the best employer it can be, outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan. Minister for Secondary Care Karin Smyth has emphasized that reported levels of racism, violence, and sexual harassment are unacceptable and that the new standards will introduce formal accountability for employers.
Looking ahead, the framework is expected to evolve over time, with plans to explore its extension to primary care settings in future years. This includes GP practices and dental surgeries, where similar issues may be prevalent.
NHS England has stated that these measures are an important step towards creating a more supportive work environment for NHS staff, who are at the forefront of providing patient care. The initiative aims to improve morale, reduce stress, and increase job satisfaction among NHS workers.