NHS Highland board aim for ‘right processes’
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A YEAR on from the whistle-blowers’ letter that exposed the NHS Highland bullying scandal, the two men charged with leading reform of the service have spoken about their efforts to get on top of the crisis.
Health board chairman Professor Boyd Robertson and chief executive Iain Stewart said the “excellent” treatment their respective family members had received from the health service has spurred them on to want to do what they can to resolve the issue.
After taking over the top jobs this year following the resignations of both their predecessors, they have been credited with introducing a better tone to health board proceedings but have also faced criticism over what some see as a too slow pace of change.
They have now hit back, saying they feel the criticism fails to acknowledge the full complexity of the situation, including the fact that the bullying row has to be handled alongside significant financial pressures as well as the normal day-to-day running of NHS Highland.
Prof Robertson said: “It is hugely complex, and I think that is something that has been lost so far in the commentary.
“One thing to say in relation to the Sturrock review [the QC-led inquiry into bullying] is that the information he received we are not privy to, so we have to create a mechanism by which we can access similar information.
“We also have the whole business of former employees.
“Some of the perpetrators have left the organisation but so have some of the people who were victims and they are in a situation where they have lost out financially or in terms of career progression.
“At the next board meeting in November there will be proposals about processes that are to be adopted in regard to restitution.
“There are big issues around the whole issue of compensation which has been brought up time and again – these are issues where we have to get it right and we have to tread warily and take advice.
“There are a lot of legal matters to be considered.”
Mr Stewart echoed many of those sentiments.
“It is not a question of fast or slow, it is a question of getting it right, making sure the right processes are in place, making sure that we do deal with some urgent issues in a timely manner,” he said.
“The main thing is to do the right thing with regard to culture, finance, and performance to ensure the outcomes are properly thought out and we deliver.”
Both staff departures and the lack of access to the same level of detail in the various claims heard on a confidential basis by QC John Sturrock during his review have created difficulties for the board in getting its own true perspective, but progress is being made according to both men.
Mr Stewart said: “We are developing the process at the moment and we are aiming for the November board.
“If we are able to come up with a process for compensation and people go through that and compensation is awarded then all I can say is that would be good.
“It is all about the process. Let’s follow the process.”
Related articles:
- LONGER READ: NHS bullying ‘still going on’
- LONGER READ: NHS Highland bullying – one year on
- NHS Highland needs to strike a balance in dealing with its twin crises of bullying and financial challenges
