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A recent UNISON survey has unearthed disturbing findings regarding the prevalence of sexual harassment among NHS staff across the UK. With data collected from over 12,000 healthcare workers, the survey sheds light on the challenges faced by frontline workers in their workplace environments. Approximately 10 per cent of healthcare professionals reported instances of sexual harassment during their tenure, with nearly 29 per cent of those experiencing harassment also reporting incidents of sexual assault. Shockingly, 50 per cent of respondents reported being leered at or subjected to suggestive gestures, while a quarter faced unwelcome sexual advances or demands for favors. The most common complaint, voiced by 61 per cent of those affected, was the experience of unwanted crude banter or jokes in the workplace.

As part of major plans to improve staff safety, the National Health Service (NHS) has unveiled a new policy aimed at tackling sexual misconduct within the health service. The policy, which is now available for immediate adoption by local hospitals, outlines how those working in the health service should recognise, report and act on sexual misconduct in the workplace. A key component of the support package is the introduction of an anonymous reporting option, allowing employees to report sexual abuse without having to disclose their names or personal details. The framework also provides guidance for conducting investigations, which includes forming a specialist review group with access to subject matter experts and independent investigators. NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard emphasised the importance of creating a supportive environment for staff, stating, "For anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or misconduct at work, it is an extremely distressing and isolating experience, and so we must do everything in our power to ensure our staff feel able to speak up, and have absolute confidence that they will be given the support they need when they do."

The results of a national NHS staff survey, published recently, revealed that frontline healthcare workers are facing record levels of discrimination at work, with 58,000 respondents reporting that they experienced "unacceptable" levels of unwanted sexual behaviour from the public last year. Concerningly, 8.67 per cent of 675,140 NHS workers who responded to the poll said they suffered sexual harassment from patients, patients' relatives, or other members of the public in 2023. Particularly, ambulance staff were affected, with nearly 25 per cent of staff reporting unwanted sexual behaviour from the public last year. According to the survey findings, 3.84 per cent of staff also encountered unwanted sexual behaviour from their colleagues. Dr Navina Evans, Chief Workforce, Training and Education Officer, described the survey results as "very distressing" and said that "such conduct should not be tolerated in the NHS." On the positive side, more NHS workers reported being happier at work and experiencing less burnout than before. Over half of the participants stated they look forward to coming to work, the highest number since 2020, as per the NHS. Dr Evans attributed this improvement to initiatives such as flexible working hours, clinical support squads to help menopausal women at work, and human resources stay advocates.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are usually acquired through sexual contact. The organisms (viruses, bacteria, or parasites) that cause STIs may pass from person to person in semen, vaginal fluids, blood, or other bodily fluids.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise Committee has removed a pharmacy technician from Register after been found guilty of possessing 'indecent photographs of a child'. Graeme Arthur, a pharmacy technician first registered with GPhC on 1 September 2019, under the registration number 5039154, was found guilty at Peterlee Magistrate's Court in August 2022. He received an 18-month Community Order, and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 5 years, He was also ordered to undertake a period of rehabilitation activity for 40 days. In the remote video linking hearing held on 2 - 3 May, the Fitness to Practise Committee found Arthur's fitness to practise to be currently impaired on grounds of protection of the public and in the wider public interest of declaring and upholding the Standards of the profession and maintaining public confidence in the reputation of the profession. The committee considers this to be a serious conviction for an offence which has included possession of the most serious category of images of sexual abuse of children. It said: "Although Mr Arthur had no direct contact with the children concerned, the nature of the abuse is that it thrives on the demand from those who search for and view the images online. As such, children come to actual harm indirectly through the activity of someone viewing and possession of images of sexual abuse."

The mandate to the healthcare industry is clear: nurture an environment of respect and professionalism. Institutions should promote the message that sexual harassment is not only prohibited, but shunned. They must build reporting structures that value input without retribution or recrimination, act quickly and definitively on complaints brought forward, and provide remedies that satisfy the parties involved and the institution overall.

The Fitness-to-Practise Committee of the General Pharmaceutical Council has issued a three-month suspension to Mohammed Roohul Haque (Reg No: 2226084), a locum pharmacist, due to incidents of workplace sexual misconduct. According to the determination document issued by the regulatory body, Haque undertook the position of a locum pharmacist at Hollowood Chemists on July 12. It was during this period that he encountered the dispenser (referred to as the "complainant"), a 40-year-old co-worker at the pharmacy, for the first instance. Following this initial meeting, he proceeded to engage in making explicit sexual comments. During the lunch break of the pharmacy's second dispenser, Haque asked the dispenser, who had lodged the complaint, to review photographs displayed on his mobile phone, depicting renovations being carried out at his residence. The initial images focused on the ongoing renovation activities. However, he later switched to displaying a full-screen photograph of his erect penis, the document said. Despite the fact that the dispenser promptly distanced herself, Haque persisted in discussing the photograph with her. He went so far as to apologise, and even asked if she had managed to closely observe the picture.

Abortion is the process of ending up the unwanted pregnancy which has been caused due to specific number of reasons. These reasons could be unprotected sexual intercourse, forced sexual behavior, family issues, and unable to afford a child yet. There have been number of methods for ending up this unwanted pregnancy which includes surgical as well as medical methods...

Erection problems are common conditions that can affect adult men of any age. General awareness about erection problems has grown in recent years, and men's partners and society at-large generally view it as a common condition. Indeed, 75% of men and their partners agree that they are a normal part of life for a man. But despite progress to normalise the condition, the research points to the fact that men still feel responsible for erection problems. The survey's key findings underscore the multi-faceted social pressure men feel to perform socially, professionally, emotionally, and sexually. 90% of men feel expected to provide financial support, 80%+ feel they should be in control of their feelings, and 92% think it is expected of them to perform in bed. Despite erection problems being commonplace, expectations about sexual performance complicate the situation and make a major impact on the lives of those it affects. When men are confronted with erection problems, 60% expressed feeling disappointed. This disappointment, combined with the difficulty that 1 in 3 men have spoken about it, has a strong impact on well-being. 36% of men feel their mental health has been impacted by erection problems and leads to a feeling of guilt, and 74% of men feel responsible for difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection.

As your brain learns to create positive thoughts, you will not be able to enjoy sexual intimacy but also other aspects of your life. Please contact us at the following number if you want any more details or if you would like to have a debate on the NLP coaching program.

Audio link How to know symptoms of Syphilis sexually transmitted infection? ? What are the side effects and Treatment?

Audio link How to know symptoms of Syphilis sexually transmitted infection? ? What are the side effects and Treatment?

You have been married to a guy who is 10 years older than you. Living a happy life with him whom you have known from about 8 years is what you wanted the most. Indulging in sexual activity with him on a regular basis using protection was a common thing between both of you. You both are yet not ready to afford a child and up bring the same...

Whether you choose birth control pills or condoms, it is important that you enjoy your love making without the slightest fear of an unexpected pregnancy or the fear of conceiving a Sexually Transmitted Disease

When it comes to one's sexual health, most people tend to take it for granted. Some men even take a wait and see approach. While...

A healthy reproductive system makes the miracle of life possible. Taking good care of your reproductive health is essential as problems in this region can affect your physical, emotional and sexual well being as well as make it difficult for you to become pregnant. As it happens, fortunately, many such problems can be prevented or..

You have been married since 5 years but do not have a child. You both have been waiting for a kid but nothing has happened uptill now. You have tried every form of sexual position. Not only this, but you have also shifted to a diet programme. After using so many treatments, you are still barren. You have been trying to conceive for so long but no signs of pregnancy...

Before you plan of sexual intercourse, you keep in mind precautionary measures. Sometimes during intimacy session, you forget to have precautions and bear the repercussions of gestation. If you have planned your pregnancy then you would be happy to hear when you conceive but if you have conceived without any planning then you need not get tensed, you can choose an abortion...

Sixty-seven per cent of UK independent pharmacists say the pandemic has positively changed how patients view the clinical services offered by community pharmacy. The research - carried out with an independent panel of more than 100 community pharmacists - revealed that 35 per cent of them had increased their clinical services to fulfil patient demand during the pandemic. Seventeen per cent said they had expanded their private clinical services such as vaccinations and dermatology, with a further 17 per cent adding sexual health services such as emergency contraception and chlamydia screening in their services offer. Thirty per cent introduced NHS health checks and emergency supply NHS services during the pandemic.

In its first, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to treat people at the highest risk of catching HIV. The announcement comes along with a consultation on draft guideline by NICE on reducing sexually transmitted infections. NICE's recommendation is backed up by the government's HIV Action Plan to hit zero new transmissions of HIV by 2030. The pill prevents HIV by stopping the virus from crossing into the healthy cells and replicating. According to the UK PROUD study, PrEP reduced the risk of HIV infection by 86 per cent for men who have sex with men. However, people taking the pill must also get regular HIV testing and STI screening done every three months.

Ahead of World AIDS Day this Wednesday, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has urged the government to widen access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by making it available through community pharmacies. It argues that such a move could drive down rates of HIV infection across Great Britain. Currently, the medicine - which offers almost total protection from HIV when taken as recommended prior to sex or injecting drugs - is available free of charge only through sexual health clinics. Calling on the government to engage with community pharmacies to improve public health, RPS president Claire Anderson said: "There is a clear opportunity to drive down rates of HIV infection by expanding provision of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to community pharmacies and GP practices as part of the government's HIV Action Plan.