HUNDREDS of staff members at NHS Highland could have been subject to inappropriate behaviour, a review into allegations of a “bullying culture” at the board has found.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman commissioned a review in November after a group of senior clinicians raised concerns.
A report from John Sturrock QC, published yesterday, found a “significant majority” of 340 people who engaged with the review said they are experiencing or had experienced intimidation and inappropriate behaviour at work. It said a minority of respondents had said there was not a problem with bullying.
However, the report found many people felt unable to speak out about the issue and believed there was no safe mechanism for them to do so. While it did not determine conclusively that there was a culture of bullying, Sturrock’s report determined that senior Scottish Government officials were aware of the “dysfunctional situation” at the board and at senior leadership level for a “considerable period of time” before matters became more public in autumn 2017.
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It said some individuals in senior management were characterised as having adopted an “autocratic, intimidating, closed, suppressing, defensive and centralising style”.
In his recommendations, Sturrock said a strategic vision was needed for boards with a programme of training for staff and managers. He also called for effective facilities to be introduced to allow those wishing to speak out to do so.
His report calls for a reset of senior management and recommended that the Scottish Government demonstrates and supports “people-centred leadership”.
A group of NHS Highland whistleblowers said yesterday they had still to digest the full report, but added that people in leadership positions had failed to carry out their responsibility to care for staff.
“Leaders shape the culture,” said the group. “Bullying continued within our organisation over a long period.
“That this could happen suggests there was an acceptance of this negative culture at the heart of NHS Highland – this clearly cannot be tolerated any longer. This approach was based on fear and intimidation over honesty and transparency.”
The group added: “Having acted in the public interest, we need and deserve to be protected. Any attempts to target us, or others who came forward to assist in the Sturrock review must not be tolerated.”
Ian Blackford, SNP leader at Westminster and MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, said those who had come forward had shown “courage in shining a light on the disease of inappropriate behaviour”.
“What must happen now is that the review recommendations are implemented,” he said. “A culture change, led from the top, must allow better staff relationships to flourish. The previous culture must, and will, be eradicated.”
Iain Stewart, NHS Highland chief executive, said: “NHS Highland will take whatever actions are required to ensure that its people are valued, 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.”
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