Concerns over ‘bullying’ raised at NHS Tayside

Health: MSPs told whistleblower quit over issue

Allegations of “systematic bullying” at NHS Tayside and the stress-related suicide of a trainee doctor there prompted the resignation of the health board’s whistleblowing champion, MSPs were told.

Munwar Hussain was one of three non-executive directors of the board who quit in the wake of a “crisis of public confidence”.

Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar said Mr Hussain had been frustrated that concerns were “not being acted upon by managers”.

Mr Hussain was contacted by a former trainee doctor who said they “left the NHS due to issues of systematic bullying and negative cliques”, Mr Sarwar said.

He continued: “There were claims that people were raising issues but these were not being acted upon by managers, including allegations in the email that a previous trainee took their own life and the stress was unbearable for some.

“(Mr Hussain) goes on to say he asked for this to be raised at a board meeting but was told he could not.”

Mr Sarwar said Mr Hussain “eventually” raised concerns at a staff governance committee meeting but said he felt “this is viewed as an ongoing issue which is tolerated”.

It emerged at the weekend Mr Hussain had decided to resign from NHS Tayside – along with colleagues Stephen Hay and Doug Cross – but he did not make public the reason for his decision.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman told MSPs she was aware “other board members are considering their future plans”.

But she stressed she had “immediately followed up” the issues Mr Hussain raised with her.

Mr Sarwar said he had seen the letter Mr Hussain sent to the health secretary, as he claimed: “There is a crisis of confidence with NHS Tayside following a series of issues, including financial mismanagement, raiding of the charity endowment fund, a chief executive and chair forced to resign.”

Ms Freeman conceded there were “undoubtedly challenges”, adding she “would not underestimate those in any respect”.