NHS Highland reports delay in tackling bullying and harassment of staff
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There is much work to be done on reforms to tackle bullying and harassment of NHS Highland staff between now and September after it was reported progress had been delayed.
Fiona Hogg, director of human resources and organisational development with NHS Highland told Tuesday’s board meeting: “We are now at the point where we can push forward.
“The biggest challenge will be how do we get this to the right people at the right time.”
Members were told the delay is putting “patient confidence” and the health board’s reputation under threat.
The setbacks led to the situation being listed on a so-called strategic risk register alongside the pandemic and fire safety.
It was confirmed that a culture programme – designed as a response to the bullying saga exposed by whistle-blowers in 2018 – has “slipped with milestones now pushed back”.
The programme came, along with an overhaul of NHS Highland finances, following a Scottish Government intervention.
Among the priorities understood to be behind schedule is an area dubbed “people processes”, which looks to change how grievances are dealt with.
Another area of concern is that a staff survey to check progress on bullying is not expected to reach everyone because an IT issue left bosses with only half the email addresses of the workforce.
Analysis of whether goals are being met is now expected to be delivered to the board in mid-September instead of this month.
A plan to tackle bullying behaviours, named “civility saves lives” – designed so the bully is able to change without becoming defensive or feeling attacked – has also been delayed.
Despite an independent review panel finding some managers were incapable or unwilling to address bullying, a new leadership and management development process has started.
“This mainly relates to the scope of the combined culture package taking longer than expected, but which has now been finalised and moved into detailed design and delivery planning,” Ms Hogg said, adding some areas are making progress.
She stressed the importance of “learning and listening” to the staff survey “having taken the time to gather such rich data and insights”.
She added: “We are in the process of a full review of the overall culture plan, priorities and timescales, and will bring this to the September board meeting for review. ”
The culture programme is a “high” risk on the register.
The board, chaired by Professor Boyd Robertson, noted the position.
