NEARLY all female doctors in Britain have experienced sexism at work, but just a quarter of those who either experienced it or witnessed it have raised the issue, a survey revealed today.

The British Medical Association said the figure of more than 90 per cent was “appalling.”

The professional body’s survey of more than 2,000 doctors found that 84 per cent of all respondents felt there was an issue of sexism in the medical profession and almost three-quarters believe sexism acts as a barrier to career progression.

More than a quarter of men who took part in the survey said they have or had more opportunities during training because of their gender, in comparison to just 1 per cent of women respondents.

The survey found that only 26 per cent of women and 19 per cent of men who had experienced or witnessed an issue of sexism had raised it.

More than 60 per cent of women said they felt discouraged to work in a particular speciality because of their gender, while 70 per cent felt their clinical ability had been doubted or undervalued because of it.

More than half of female doctors said they had received unwanted verbal conduct relating to their gender and almost a third experienced unwanted physical conduct in the workplace.

BMA acting chairwoman Dr Latifa Patel said: “The report makes for shocking reading and there is no place for sexism in society.

“If we want to eradicate it, we all have a part to play. It’s going to take a concerted effort and it won’t be quick to fix, but sexism must stop.”

The BMA said it will develop recommendations to address the issues raised in the report.