Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Deferred
Muslim women in frontline services endure anti-Muslim abuse and face mental health barriers.
Conclusion
It is deeply saddening that Muslim women working in frontline services such as healthcare settings are having to endure anti-Muslim abuse while performing their duties in helping others. Reports of a lack of support from colleagues and employers are also troubling. Anti-Muslim discrimination, harassment and abuse can have lasting mental health impacts. Yet Muslims can face barriers in accessing mental health services, and with those services often not being equipped to meet their needs. (Conclusion, Paragraph 94
Government Response Summary
The government states NHS organisations have a duty to protect staff, and plan to introduce new standards for modern employment in April 2026 which are likely to focus on improving staff health and wellbeing, violence, racism and sexual harassment.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
56. NHS staff should feel safe at work in an environment free of racism and discrimination. Every NHS organisation has a duty to protect staff from racism, sexism and religious hatred and will have their own policies and procedures around this. The NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Improvement Plan sets out targeted actions for organisations to address prejudice and discrimination at work, with an aim to ensure all staff feel safe to speak up and report abusive or discriminatory behaviours through their employer’s reporting channels. 57. Creating a compassionate and inclusive culture which supports NHS staff to deliver compassionate care requires a clear vision and proactive action at a local level. To support this ambition, the Government plans to introduce a new set of standards for modern employment in April 2026. The new standards will reaffirm our commitment to improving staff experience by tackling the issues that matter to staff. They are likely to focus on areas such as improving staff health and wellbeing and dealing with violence, racism and sexual harassment in the NHS workforce. They will provide a framework for leaders across the NHS to improve staff experience.