NHS Tayside probes bullying allegations

CEAims: Apprentices working in estates department subjected to harassment from senior members of staff – claim

NHS Tayside is investigating allegations that apprentices in its estates department have been subjected to a sustained campaign of bullying.

One source told The Courier that a number of apprentices working on the health board’s estates department, which is responsible for the maintenance of its grounds and buildings, have been subjected to harassment from senior members of staff.

They claimed a number of personnel have been suspended while a probe into the allegations is carried out.

NHS Tayside said they could not comment on matters relating to individual members of staff but are committed to a “working environment free from bullying or harassment”.

It is claimed this has ranged from hazing – where a person was held down while another drew on his face – to having rude messages written about them on walls at Ninewells Hospital.

The source also claimed one apprentice was asked by a senior member of staff why they had not been sacked yet.

The source added: “It has been systematic and has come from the top down.”

They added: “I know of one apprentice who was held down on the ground while a member of staff drew on his face.

“Estates staff were also writing crude messages about some of the apprentices on walls around the hospital.

“Another had a senior member of staff walk up to him and ask him what he was doing there and why he had not been sacked yet.

“So much has happened. It has been systematic.”

An NHS spokesperson said: “NHS Tayside does not comment on matters relating to individual members of staff.

“NHS Tayside is committed to providing a working environment which is free from bullying and harassment.

“Every employee of NHS Tayside has a responsibility to treat colleagues with dignity and respect.

“Therefore, the bullying or harassment of any member of staff for any reason is unacceptable and NHS Tayside will not condone this behaviour in any form.

“We take any allegations of bullying seriously and have very robust policies and procedures in place to ensure that staff feel they can report any concerns that they may have.”