NHS Highland bullying review published; Scottish Government plans whistleblowing champions in every health board
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A REPORT looking into an alleged bullying culture at NHS Highland has been published.
The Sturrock Review was ordered in November following a series of claims by staff which emerged two months earlier.
The review's summary found that “while it is not possible to conclude conclusively that there is or is not a bullying culture in NHS Highland, it may be possible to conclude that the majority of employees of NHS Highland have not experienced bullying as such.”
But it added that: “Having said that, extrapolating from the evidence available to this review, it seems equally possible that many hundreds have experienced behaviour which is inappropriate. That seems far too many.”
The Scottish Government has stated its intent to appoint a Whistleblowing Champion to every health board in Scotland.
Highland MSPs have begun to react.
David Stewart, a Highlands and Islands list MSP with Labour, said: “In my twenty 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.
“The Sturrock Review validates the claims of those who have spoken out.
“The Health Secretary must ensure there is support all of those who have lost their jobs or experienced mental health problems as a result of their experience. They must not be forgotten.
“There is much to be done to restore the trust of staff. Urgent action must also be taken to ensure the recommendations of the Sturrock review are implemented in full across NHS Scotland; all staff must be given confidence that they will be safe and secure in the workplace.”
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 the chief executive Iain Stewart and chair Boyd Robertson, I know that there is an opportunity to completely transform NHS Highland and rebuild confidence in leaders, structure and culture.”
Highlands and Islands list Conservative MSP Ed Mountain has accused the Scottish Government of "dithering" in its handling of the issue.
He said: "It was only the Scottish Government and casual observers who didn’t recognise there were serious problems in NHS Highland.
"John Brown’s Governance Review, published in May 2018 proved it.
"And when four senior clinicians made allegations of bullying in September 2018, and I called on the First Minister for an Independent Inquiry, the Government still dithered.
"And finally when we get an inquiry we learn and I quote that there was “fear and intimidation” of the staff some who have “suffered significant and serious harm.”
"And according to the report it appears that the Scottish Government knew about the dysfunctional nature of NHS Highland in Autumn 2017 and yet did nothing about, waiting to see what others would do.
"In my 40 years of professional experience, I have never read such a damning report. And in her statement I did not once hear the word ‘Sorry’.
"So let me start by welcoming the belated actions the Cabinet Secretary is announcing.
"But to move forward we need to resolve the past.
"So let me give the Cabinet Secretary the opportunity, on behalf of the Scottish Government to start off the process rebuilding of our health service by apologising to the staff, patients and people of the Highlands for this situation which is attributable to poor executive management, which is backed up the Sturrock Report.”
The Cabinet Secretary replied that she has apologised to staff of NHS Highland and would again, but denied that the Scottish Government had not taken action on the issue of bullying in NHS Highland.
- More to follow.
