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'Speedy solution' plea for NHS Highland staff who were bullied


By Gordon Calder

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A CALL has been made for a "speedy solution" to be found to compensate NHS Highland staff affected by bullying.

David Stewart, Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, made the plea after health bosses told Holyrood's health and sport committee some employees could receive payouts.

They also plan to address the problems identified by the review into bullying led by John Sturrock QC. It is thought many people experienced problems while working for the health authority.

David Stewart wants a speedy solution to the compensation problem.
David Stewart wants a speedy solution to the compensation problem.

Mr Stewart, Scottish Labour’s shadow minister for public health, raised the issue of psychological support and compensation for those affected.

Addressing the senior management team, which included the authority’s chief executive Iain Stewart and chairman Boyd Robertson, the MSP said: "My mailbag has been really full with cases of those who have approached me saying their careers have been ruined and they have lost out financially.

"Is there any scheme of compensation the board is looking at to try and help these staff who have really seen their careers blighted in many ways and are unable to work?

"Obviously, for confidentiality reasons, I cannot quote these cases, on their request, but I have had numerous cases directly about this and I am obviously highly concerned about the effect it has had on their careers. The bulk of them stay in the health board area."

Mr Robertson said he and the chief executive were aware of the cases and had met a number of those affected. He said compensation is being considered but added: "We are not yet at the stage where we can give a definitive answer as to how we are going to deal with that."

Following the committee meeting, David Stewart said: "While I welcome the fact the health authority is turning its attention to this very important issue, time is dragging on and I think there needs be a definitive answer sooner rather than later.

"I will be taking a close look at how this develops for the people who have contacted me and feel very aggrieved about how they were treated.

"I have always argued that there seemed to be an underlying toxic culture of bullying previously at NHS Highland and believe that the new chief executive and chairman are trying to turn this around."

The MSP also asked about attracting staff to come and work in NHS Highland and raised the expense of locums and the difficulty of retaining staff.

The chief executive said the health authority is strengthening its human resources processes and has new senior officials in post. He wants NHS Highland to be the "place of choice" for people to come and work.

On the possibility of compensation being paid to the bullied staff, north MP Jamie Stone said: "This is a definite move in the right direction which I welcome. But public confidence, which is crucial to the running of the NHS, will only be restored when the whole issue is examined and we can be sure there is no chance of any repetition of bullying staff in this way."


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