Bullying increase in NHS is‘deeply alarming’

Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson has expressed his “deep alarm” at a rise in bullying cases at NHS Lanarkshire since 2020-21.

Figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests show that there has been a near 50 per cent increase in the number of bullying cases in NHS Scotland over the last five years.

In NHS Lanarkshire the number of bullying cases rose from seven in 202021 to 12 in 2021-22.

While the number of cases in Lanarkshire fell in the last five years, the number of cases have increased by 71 per cent over the past year.

Mr Simpson says there is never a justification for bullying and intimidation in the workplace and that anyone on the receiving end will only see their mental health suffer further after the stresses of the pandemic.

He also says that workplace culture comes from the top, which ultimately means Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf, must act.

Mr Simpson told the Advertiser: “The rise in bullying cases at NHS Lanarkshire in the last year is deeply alarming and completely unacceptable.

“Staff there, or in any workplace, should not be subjected to intimidation or bullying.

“This workplace culture is ultimately set at the very top, so Humza Yousaf needs to react to these concerning figures, which are part of a wider increase across Scotland.

“We are already suffering from a shortage of frontline staff across Lanarkshire, so a rise in bullying cases is the last thing we need as we try to urgently recruit and retain staff.

“These cases will have had a damaging effect on the mental health of staff who are already completely overwhelmed due to the Covid pandemic.

“Bullying can never be tolerated and there must be proper, open procedures to allow people to speak out without fear of repercussions.

“Humza Yousaf must ensure that culture runs through NHS Lanarkshire and give them all the resources they need.”

NHS Lanarkshire director of human resources, Kay Sandilands, added: “We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of bullying in the workplace.

“We are committed to providing a positive and respectful work environment and apply the Once for Scotland bullying and harassment policy which encourages staff to report all incidents.

“All reported incidents are taken seriously and treated sensitively and professionally.”

Monkands Hospital Demanding answers Mr Simpson pictured across from