Responding to a new British Journal of Surgery report, which finds almost one in three female surgeons in NHS have been sexually assaulted, Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers said:

"There must be zero tolerance of sexual harassment of NHS colleagues. The findings of this report are harrowing and point to a clear and urgent need for action.

"We welcomed the General Medical Council recently spelling out, for the first time, what constitutes sexual harassment and what doctors who witness it should do.

"Similarly, the NHS' first-ever sexual safety charter published earlier this month will be vital to helping protect staff.

"No NHS employee should be harassed, bullied or subjected to threatening and undermining behaviour by colleagues.

"We must do everything we can to stamp out unacceptable behaviour at all levels and ensure respect right across the health and care system."