Bullying charges trigger review
domanii. REPORTS of severe workplace bullying and harassment have sparked an independent review into workplace culture at Charters Towers Community Mental Health.
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service revealed yesterday it has responded to harassment complaints at four of its facilities outside Townsville, including the mental health service at Charters Towers.
It comes after the Bulletin reported last year there was a “toxic” culture of bullying and harassment at Townsville Hospital, which drove some employees to contemplate suicide.
Three hospital staff have since been suspended following an independent investigation.
A former Charters Towers Community Mental Health employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said it had been a stressful workplace.
“There were a number of events that were distressing,” the ex- worker said. “There was a culture of blaming of victims, the people who were doing the bullying were never held to account.”
The former employee said miscommunication was a problem.
“Because of that a number of people have resigned,” they said.
“There was one person feeling suicidal and so was I.
“It probably started about seven to eight years ago and has just been escalating over the last few years.”
The Bulletin understands flyers have been distributed around Char- ters Towers calling for anyone who had been “turned away” or “had bad experiences” with the facility to report them to an email address.
Another former employee, who also requested to remain anonymous, said staff were “hanging in there” because they had bills to pay.
“It’s terrible, it’s an embedded culture,” the ex- worker said.
THHS chief executive Dr Peter Bristow said he had been made aware of the concerns at the Charters Towers facility earlier this year.
Dr Bristow said he met with 10 current and former employees last month to discuss their concerns.
He said at a follow- up meeting in Townsville it was determined an independent review undertaken by external providers would be appropriate.
“Arrangements for this review have begun,” he said.
Dr Bristow said there had been 67 complaints relating to bullying and harassment at Townsville Hospital since November last year.
“Twenty- five of these complaints have been successfully resolved while 42 complaints remain open and are under review,” he said.
“In rural facilities there have been eight complaints, five of which have been closed and the remaining complaints relate to CTCMH.”
Dr Bristow said quality of care and staff culture was important in all health service facilities.