NHS Highland agrees to bullying compensation; 'No more denials, no more pretence, no more cover-up'
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NHS Highland has agreed to a comprehensive programme of compensation and support for victims of bullying 10 months after the publication of the Sturrock Review and 18 months after whistle-blowers and the GMB launched a campaign for justice for victims.
Both the whistleblowing clinicians and the GMB union called for action to help staff and their efforts culminated this week in what was described as a milestone moment when the board agreed the healing process plan.
That programme provides a large range of measures intended to offer some level of restitution and recovery for those who were bullied or harassed at the health board.
They include reinstatement for those forced from their jobs, financial compensation ranging from £500 to £95,000, receiving an apology, psychological support, ongoing dialogue or else no action at all.
It was developed in conjunction with the whistle-blowers and the GMB union but its introduction is to be delayed due to the coronavirus so all efforts can be concentrated on beating the infection and the timing will now be reviewed again in May.
The GMB’s Gavin Smith said he was “delighted” with the plan, saying: “I am pleased that they worked with the whistle-blowing group.
“It has been a hard struggle to get to this point and I have got to praise the courage of the whistle-blowers for coming forward in the first place but there is a long road to go yet but now we can look forward to working together with NHS Highland on this.
“There is a long road ahead and we recognise NHS Highland has to prioritise its COVID-19 measures but things have been left in a good way to return to in the future.”
One of the leading whistle-blowers Dr Iain Kennedy said the dark days of bullying, intimidation and cover-up must end and with it the terms of some board members who he described as “by-standers” to bullying.
“The hundreds of NHS staff who have been injured can finally be optimistic about restitution and reparation. No more denials, no more pretence, no more cover-up and no more not believing the victims of bullying and intimidation that everyone could see was happening in plain sight.
“Politicians and civil servants must protect staff from managers who are unfit to lead and board members must exercise their duty to hold leaders to account, they must stop being by-standers. Some of the current board members current term of office should not be renewed.”
Chairman of the board Professor Boyd Robertson, Chair of NHS Highland, said: “This is a very significant milestone in the Board's response to the recommendations in the Sturrock Report published last May.
“As I said in the summer, when we set out to develop our healing process, I and the whole board, stand four-square behind the victims of bullying and we reaffirm that we are deeply sorry for the harm that has been caused to each one of those individuals.
“I would like to thank everyone who invested their time to work with us in developing an approach which meets the needs of former and current employees and underpins a culture where every member of staff at NHS Highland feels listened to, valued and respected. The commitment on all sides to co-creating a healing process has been heart-warming and impressive."
