NHS workers including nurses and cleaners have suffered "serious" sexual harassment at work, including groping and rape, according to a new report.

Research by Unison revealed that being leered at or subjected to offensive "banter" were regular problems for many healthcare staff.

Unwanted remarks and jokes were the most common complaints among 8,000 healthcare workers surveyed by the union.

Sexual harassment was committed by other workers, contractors or patients, said Unison.

Some victims had considered suicide or been driven to leave their job, which was adding to the staffing crisis in the health service, said the union.

Only one in five victims made a complaint to a manager, often because they didn't believe anything would be done about it.

Unison assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said: "Staff should never have to face any kind of abuse, let alone sexually motivated insults and attacks.

"Many nurses, cleaners and administrative workers feel they have to put up with appalling behaviour as nothing will be done. This is generally because the perpetrators are in a position of power - or believe they are untouchable.

"The workplace which should be a harassment-free zone and employers who fail to act should be held to account."

Labour MP Jess Phillips, who sits on the Women and Equalities Select Committee, will be speaking at a fringe event at Unison's conference in Liverpool on Thursday.

She said: "The #metoo movement might have attracted a lot of attention but it doesn't mean sexual harassment has gone away. It certainly hasn't for women working in public services - far from it as this research shows.

"For too many women sexual harassment is deeply entrenched in workplace culture. It needs the Government to take action so employers are called to account."

Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England said: "We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to abuse, violence or harassment in the workplace and we will not stand for harassment or assault of any kind against NHS staff.

"Leaders of NHS organisations take these incidents seriously when they are reported, and we would want to provide the appropriate care and support to staff affected."