Comment: Bullying claims harm hospital

Jan 9 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

BULLYING in the workplace is one of the scourges of modern society. Unfortunately, with more and more demands placed on employees, and often fewer employees to perform such tasks, it is becoming increasingly common.

But, while the workplace seems to have overtaken the school playground as the place where bullying is most likely to occur, it is still shocking and surprising to hear that it is a problem at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, one of the city’s most respected and well-loved institutions.

The NHS is, of course, at the sharp end when it comes to work-related stress, with patient expectations, and the Government’s target-driven culture, at an all-time high.

Nevertheless, it is shaming that – according to the latest data from the Healthcare Commission – the Women’s NHS foundation trust had the second worst score in the country for bullying or harassment from managers or team leaders in the past 12 months.

The staff survey also found that one in four felt they had experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from colleagues or managers in the previous year, one of the highest scores for trusts of its type in England.

Its poor record is all the more disappointing because, in the Healthcare Commission’s overall assessment for 2006/7, the Trust was rated as "excellent", the only one in Merseyside and Cheshire to be awarded that grade.

The Trust has reacted by saying it has revised its anti-bullying and harassment policy, and put together an action plan of measures designed to address staff concerns.

Louise Shepherd, the Trust’s chief executive, also said the findings partly reflected an initiative to raise the profile of the bullying issue with all staff, including encouraging them to report any such incidents.

It is hoped the Trust’s anti-bullying measures are a success, because – in the interests of both patients and staff – a culture of harassment can only end up damaging a hospital’s reputation, which in all other areas is exemplary.