NHS staff, including ambulance workers, porters, nurses and cleaners, have been assaulted, shown pornographic images and offered money for sex, according to new research.

The Unison union said the findings of a wide-ranging survey which revealed widespread incidents of sexual harassment were shocking.

The study of more than 12,200 health workers, published on the first day of Unison’s annual health conference in Brighton, showed that one in 10 workers reported unwanted incidents including being touched or kissed, demands for sex in return for favours, and derogatory comments.