NHS Highland bosses have unveiled a 32-page action plan to combat bullying in response to a damning report probing a culture of intimidation and harassment within the organisation.
Immediate changes have already been put in place, including the appointment of a whistleblowing champion to support troubled staff.
Other initiatives include “fireside chats” with the new chief executive, the launch of a Mind Your Language campaign, and mediation and pastoral support for staff who have suffered harm as a consequence of bullying or inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.
Confidential contact officers are being trained to provide additional support, while provision will be provided to those who require counselling or psychology therapy.
Health secretary Jeane Freeman travelled to Inverness to check on the progress of the health board’s aim to implement the proposals made in the highly-critical report by John Sturrock QC.
She told the Press and Journal: “This action plan is an indication of how seriously NHS Highland has taken the claims.
“It is now up to them to take ownership of the Sturrock Report and hopefully their response will aid NHS boards across Scotland, as this problem will not only exist with this one health authority.
“It is quite an innovative approach and must be welcomed. The way forward must involve the staff themselves.”
She praised the whistleblowers for their “bravery” saying: “I met with them today, along with staff and senior managers.
“The whistleblowers coming forward could not have been easy, but was the right and proper thing to do and allows the wide NHS Scotland to look at how staff are treated.”
Chief executive Iain Stewart said: “We are making good progress.
“We have produced an action plan, which we have shared with the Scottish Government and our staff, which sets out exactly how we will ensure our people are valued, respected and that their voices are heard.
“This is an ideal opportunity for us to highlight the work we have doing to implement the proposals and improve the working culture across NHS Highland.”
Ms Freeman added: “NHS Highland has many caring, supportive, diligent and highly-skilled staff.
“All health boards have been sent a copy of the Sturrock Report and I have asked them consider how they can take forward some of the recommendations.
“I want boards to foster opportunities for open and active dialogue with all staff to ensure that there is a positive working culture for everyone.”
Scottish Labour’s shadow health minister, and north MSP, David Stewart, welcomed the move to change human resources processes.
He said: “The appointment of a whistleblowing champion and of an independent external organisation to assist with internal investigations is an essential move, as is a single point of contact for mediation.”
Conservative Highland MSP Edward Mountain said: “I support an open, transparent and inclusive approach so that staff can have their say on resolving the issue of bullying at NHS Highland.”
The action plan welcomes the Sturrock Report findings, and states: “NHS Highland accepts that there are a number of people who have been bullied, affected and harmed.
“The board apologises for the distress and upset which those people have suffered and it intends to do everything it can to guarantee that lessons have been learned and that organisation failings rectified.
“It wishes to reiterate that bullying and harassment in any form is fundamentally unacceptable and will not be tolerated by NHS Highland.
“The board aims to ensure that all staff members feel valued, respected and listened to.
“Over time and with a great deal of hard work, NHS Highland intends to become recognised as an employer of choice and a great organisation within which to work.”
It adds: “In the coming months, the intention of the health board is to focus on healing, reconciliation and building a positive culture based upon care and compassion, dignity and respect for everyone.
“Values such as openness, honesty and responsibility will underpin an approach which will deliver quality of care and teamwork.”
The action plans is to be co-ordinated by a delivery group established with various health professionals and will also include a member of staff who has “lived the experience” and the whistleblowing champion.
The NHS Highland action plan has been welcomed across the political spectrum – and also by the whistleblowers whose campaign ultimately led to the inquiry and the changes proposed.
A spokesman for the four medics said: “We have been reassured there is a positive response for change within the health authority.
“The new management team within NHS Highland is building up momentum.
“We understand changes can’t be made overnight, but feel there has already been great progress. We are very confident that there will be a more positive future.”
The senior medics who spoke out were: Dr Iain Kennedy, executive partner at Riverside, Foyers and Cromarty medical practices; Eileen Anderson, consultant radiologist at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness; Lorien Cameron-Ross, of-of-hours GP at Raigmore; and Jonathan Bell, a GP at Nairn Medical Practice.
Scottish Labour’s shadow health minister, and north MSP, David Stewart, welcomed the move to change human resources processes.
He said: “The appointment of a whistleblowing champion and of an independent external organisation to assist with internal investigations is an essential move, as is a single point of contact for mediation.
“However, many constituents who have experienced previous bullying and harassment have contacted me asking how NHS Highland will look at reparation for their cases and I have asked the Chief Executive what will be the process for investigating these.
“There are a number of very damaged people who have lost their positions, their health and their careers so there must be systems in place to look into their claims.”
Conservative Highland MSP Edward Mountain, who has supported the whistleblowers throughout, said: “I called for the draft action plan to be published so I am delighted it is now available for NHS Highland staff to read.
“I support an open, transparent and inclusive approach so that staff can have their say on resolving the issue of bullying at NHS Highland.
“It is vital for all staff that progress continues to be made on building a new culture of respect at the health board.”
He will be meeting next week with the chairman and chief executive, adding: “I look forward to discussing their short term and long term recommendations in response to the Sturrock Report.”
THE TIMELINE
- September 2018 – Four whistleblowing clinicians claim a systemic bullying culture over a decade
- December – Health Secretary Jeane Freeman announces inquiry into bullying claims, to be led by QC John Sturrock
- December – Chief executive Elaine Meade retires
- January 2019 – Iain Stewart takes up the £137,379-a-year post
- February – Chairman David Alston quits. Rod Harvey leaves his role as medical director. Prof Boyd Robertson takes interim chairman’s job
- March – NHS Highland announces £17m budget shortfall and seeks Scottish Government support
- April – Board members warned they may wish to take legal advice
- April 29 – Publication of the Sturrock report delayed due to press of business at Scottish Parliament
- May 9 – Sturrock Report published, stating bullying was happening at NHS Highland and making series of recommendations
- June 21 – NHS Highland unveils its action plan to combat bullying, intimidation and harassment within the organisation