Freedom of Information - HWHCT 256

Our ref: HWHCT-256

21 November 2022

FOI request:

Under the Freedom of Information Act I am writing to seek answers/obtain information to the following:

1. Does your organisation have a policy that covers sexual safety, specifically preventing episodes of sexual misconduct and sexual violence involving patients, visitors and staff?

2. If your answer to question 1 was yes, please can you forward an electronic copy of the policy to me?

3. If your answer to question 1 was yes, what date did the policy become effective? 

4. If you have updated your policy within the past five years, please can you provide me with an electronic copy of the policy it replaced? If the information is available, please can you specify how your current policy is now different.

5. Has your organisation accepted vicarious liability for any cases of sexual assault or violence concerning any staff or patients in the past five years  (2017 to date) (Please include any cases that may have led to an out of court settlement.)

6. If your  answer to question 5 was yes, please can you provide figures, specifically for the total number of cases and total compensation paid per year. 

7. If possible, can you provide a breakdown for each case, specifying year; cost; whether the claimant was a patient, staff member or other (please specify): and whether the perpetrator was a staff member or patient?

I understand that I am entitled to a response within 20 working days. My preferred format to receive this information is by electronic means - please can you populate the attached spreadsheet with your responses and email it to…. with ‘sexual harm prevention policy’ in the subject box.  

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact myself using the contact details below and please feel free to pass this email on to whoever is best placed to meet this request. Can you also acknowledge receipt of this email as soon as possible.

Trust response:

1. Yes

2. See attached document: Acceptable Standard Of Behaviour Policy. This document is currently under review and will be retitled the Civility and Respect Policy.

3.  31^st July 2017 extended to 21^st December 2022

4. See previous versions: attached documents

5. We can confirm that we have not seen any claim where the Trust has accepted vicarious liability for any cases of sexual assault or violence concerning any staff or patients in the past five years  (2017 to date).

6. N/A 

7. N/A

Please be aware that although this information is accurate at the time it is provided, it may not be in the future and should not be relied upon.