Call for urgent action on 'toxic culture of bullying' at NHS Highland
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
URGENT action must be taken to deal with "the toxic culture of bullying" in NHS Highland, a Highlands and Islands MSP has said.
Labour's David Stewart made the plea yesterday after the publication of the Sturrock review into the bullying claims which were raised by four senior clinicians last year.
He said the recommendations must be implemented in full across NHS Scotland so staff can be "safe and secure in the workplace".
"In my 20 years of experience of dealing with NHS Highland as an MSP and MP, I have never before encountered such a toxic culture of bullying than that has been experienced by the staff," Mr Stewart said. "The Sturrock review validates the claims of those who have spoken out."
Conservative MSP Edward Mountain said Scotland's health secretary Jeane Freeman should apologise to the staff, patients and people of the Highlands for what had happened. "It is attributable to poor executive management, which is backed up the Sturrock report," he said.
NHS Highland said an action plan will be drawn up to address the issues raised and stressed it "will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour under any circumstances". It is committed to ensuring "lessons will be learned and all staff will be treated in a fair and respectful way".
Professor Boyd Robertson, interim chairman of NHS Highland, said: "The report presents an ideal opportunity for everyone to take stock of what more can be done to foster a positive and inclusive culture.
"Our board will give early consideration to the findings of this report and will ensure that its recommendations are taken forward. As chairman, I undertake to do whatever I can to restore confidence where it may have been lost and to build upon the many examples of best practice which I see every day.
"Together, I am confident that we can make sure that all of our people feel valued, respected and proud to be part of NHS Highland."
The contents of the report will be carefully studied and an action plan drawn up
NHS Highland chief executive Iain Stewart said: "Clearly, there is a lot in the report to consider and, over the coming days, the contents will be carefully studied and an action plan drawn up.
"I can assure you all that the response will itself be comprehensive and, over the coming weeks and months, NHS Highland will take whatever actions are required to ensure that its people are valued and respected and that their voices are heard.
"Already, it seems clear that the treatment of some staff within NHS Highland in the past has not always lived up to the high standards expected and, for that, I apologise on behalf of the board. Once I have fully read and considered the report, I will have more to say about this."
Kate Forbes, the SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said: “This independent, external review has hopefully given all those affected the opportunity to make their feelings and views known.
“The most important part of this report is how trust can be restored and NHS Highland can foster a culture of openness, transparency and respect.
“I have great admiration for John Sturrock, who has conducted his review with both empathy and a forensic approach to detail.
“I also think we need to pay tribute to those who have been brave enough to come forward and share their experiences.
“It takes courage for an organisation to recognise the need for change, and then determination to implement change.
“With new leadership at the helm in the form of Iain Stewart and Boyd Robertson, I know that there is an opportunity to completely transform NHS Highland and rebuild confidence in leaders, structure and culture.”
Jamie Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, called for action from the Scottish Government.
“Allegations of bullying in NHS Highland have been around for far too long and it is good that they are finally being looked into,” Mr Stone said. “This is good news for those who have had their voices heard and it is now crucial that the Scottish Government is seen to take action.
“Over my time as both an MP and an MSP there was strong evidence that maternity staff in the far north were strongly discouraged from speaking to me about the downgrading of maternity services. Given that I was, and am, their elected representative, this seems to me to have been deeply wrong and an example of what I would see as bullying.
“I hope that this too is looked into – and if it emerges that this led to the wrong management decisions being taken about maternity provision in the far north then I hope that the whole issue is re-examined with the view to making services far more local than they presently are.”
