Creating a safer, more transparent NHS workplace
The NHS is facing an urgent challenge in bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct, which are damaging workplace culture, impacting staff wellbeing, and putting patient care at risk.
However, many Trusts struggle with high barriers to reporting, outdated case management systems, and a lack of real-time insights, making it difficult to take meaningful action.
incidents of unwanted sexual behaviour reported in the NHS Staff Survey 2023, it’s clear that more needs to be done.
per year in costs to the NHS due to staff turnover, absenteeism, and legal claims.
Workplace misconduct, harassment, and bullying remain critical issues across the NHS, impacting staff morale, retention, and ultimately, patient care.
New and existing legislation, including the NHS Sexual Safety Charter, the Worker Protection Act, and the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), place a greater emphasis on trusts to prevent harm, protect employees, and create a transparent, safe workplace culture.
At Culture Shift, we provide a purpose-built reporting and case management platform that helps NHS trusts enhance compliance, improve staff wellbeing, and drive real cultural change.
NHS Policy to Practice webinar on-demand
Missed the live webinar? Watch our Policy to Practice webinar on demand, where experts our experts shared:
- How to align with national policies – NHS Sexual Safety Charter, Worker Protection Act & Public Sector Equality Duty
- Breaking down barriers to reporting – The current challenges NHS Trusts are facing and how you can encourage safe, anonymous, and transparent disclosures.
- What’s working in other NHS Trusts – We share how we’re working with other NHS Trusts and how they’re ensuring compliance with policies through practice.
Legislation & compliance:
why this matters
Recent legislation is pushing NHS Trusts to take stronger action against workplace misconduct
- Trusts must provide clear, effective reporting systems for sexual misconduct.
- Staff must feel safe and supported when raising concerns.
- Trusts must track and evidence their progress in tackling workplace misconduct.
- NHS Trusts must take proactive measures to prevent workplace harassment, not just respond after incidents occur.
- Employers can now be held legally accountable if they fail to create a safe workplace.
- Policies and training must be supported by effective reporting mechanisms.
- NHS Trusts must actively eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.
- They must advance equality of opportunity among staff.
- Leadership teams must track, report, and demonstrate compliance.
How we help NHS Trusts overcome culture challenges
NHS Challenge 1: High barriers to reporting
The Problem:
- Staff fear retaliation or believe reports won’t be taken seriously.
- No anonymous reporting options, leading to underreporting of misconduct.
- Incidents are inconsistently recorded, creating gaps in oversight.
How Culture Shift Helps:
- Anonymous reporting platform – Staff can report incidents confidentially, reducing fear and increasing trust, by choosing whether they submit the report anonymously or named and who their report goes to, be it HR or the Freedom to Speak up Guardians.
- Inclusive reporting tools – Captures a wide range of issues including cultural and behavioural misconduct.
- Two-Way Messaging – communicate directly with reporters; whether they choose to remain anonymous or provide their identity; after a report has been made in confidence.
- Standardised data capture –Ensures all incidents are logged consistently, giving leadership a clear picture of workplace culture.
Challenge 2: Complex case management system & lack of standardised processes
The Problem:
- Reports often sit unresolved due to outdated, inefficient processes.
- Many Trusts rely on whistleblowing systems, which aren’t built for case management.
- No clear communication with reporters, eroding trust in the system.
How Culture Shift Helps:
- Integrated case management system – Track and manage reports efficiently from submission to resolution.
- Structured & standardised workflows – Assign cases to the right teams, monitor progress, and standardise processes ensuring consistency and fairness.
- Transparent, auditable processes – Build trust by keeping reporters informed about case progress with Two-Way Messaging.
- Actionable case oversight – Ensure Trusts meet compliance standards while communicating that culture damaging behaviour is unacceptable.
Challenge 3: No real-time data or actionable insights
The Problem:
- Manual data processing makes it hard to track trends and intervene early.
- No real-time oversight, meaning problems escalate before action is taken.
- Lack of measurable impact, making cultural transformation difficult to prove.
How Culture Shift Helps:
- Real-time analytics dashboard – Provides instant insights into reporting trends across the Trust.
- Automated data analysis –Eliminates manual processing, reducing inefficiencies and human error.
- Trend monitoring – Identifies emerging issues, such as spikes in misconduct reports, allowing for early intervention and prevention.
- Customisable reports for leadership –Supports data-driven decision-making to improve workplace culture and compliance.
NHS leaders take action
Many NHS Trusts lack the right tools to prevent misconduct, support staff, and comply with the Sexual Safety Charter, Worker Protection Act and the Public Sector Equality Duty. Culture Shift changes that, helping you overcome the challenges many NHS Trusts are facing.
Book a demo today and see how we can help your Trust reduce barriers to reporting & improve staff confidence, streamline case management & enhance accountability and use real-time data to drive cultural transformation.
Contact Us
“I’d love to show you how some of our existing partners are using our platform to create a speak-up culture in their organisation”
Gemma Donnelly - New Partnerships Manager
Talk to Gemma
