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The number of bullying cases reported in Scotland’s NHS has shot up by almost 50 per cent over the last five years.

Figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives via a Freedom of Information request reveal there were 724 cases recorded over that period – with a steady rise from 126 in 2017-18 to 185 in 2021-22.

The most startling rises in bullying cases came in NHS Highland (from five in 2017-18 to 35 in 2021-22) and NHS Tayside (from 11 to 35).

Shadow Health Secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane described the figures as “deeply alarming”, given the problems with recruiting and retaining staff across Scotland’s health service which stem from the SNP’s poor workforce planning.

He also insisted it highlighted a worrying culture in our overstretched NHS that appears to be growing on the SNP’s watch.

Scottish Conservative Shadow Health Secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: “This dramatic rise in bullying cases in Scotland’s health service is deeply alarming – no one should be subjected to intimidation in the workplace.

“Workplace culture in any organisation is set at the very top – and in this case that’s individual health board bosses and, ultimately, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf.

“Whether it’s the problems at NHS Tayside’s oncology department or the apparent efforts to silence whistle-blowers at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth hospital, there is evidence of an unhealthy culture of secrecy and closing ranks in our NHS that must be nipped in the bud.

“The greatest problem facing Scotland’s crisis-ridden NHS currently is the massive shortage of frontline staff, which is a product of the SNP’s dire workforce planning.

“When recruitment and retention of staff is your top priority, a sharp increase in bullying cases is the last thing you need.

“There is never a justification for bullying, which can have a hugely damaging effect on the mental health of staff who have been overstretched for years and are more exhausted than ever due to the pandemic. Bullying can never be tolerated or covered up, as this creates a dangerous workplace environment where staff are fearful of speaking out.

“The Health Secretary has a duty to ensure our NHS is properly resourced and that health boards foster an open, tolerant workplace culture.”

Ends

Notes

Since 2017, recorded incidents of bullying in NHS Scotland have increased by nearly 50%, with numbers increasing in every one of the last five years. In 2017-18, there were 126 cases of bullying recorded across NHS Scotland. By 2021-22, the number of cases of bullying recorded had increased to 185, an increase of 47%. (NHS Health Boards, FOI responses, accessed 17 June 2022, available on request).

In just the last year, recorded incidents of bullying in NHS Scotland have increased by nearly 30%. In 2020-21, there were 143 cases of bullying recorded across NHS Scotland. By 2021-22, the number of cases of bullying recorded had increased to 185, an increase of 29%. (NHS Health Boards, FOI responses, accessed 17 June 2022, available on request).

Over the last five years, there have been more than 700 cases of bullying recorded across NHS Scotland. In total, there have been 724 recorded incidents of bullying across NHS Scotland since 2017-18. In 2017-18, the number was 126, in 2018-19, the number was 128, in 2019-20, the number was 142, in 2020-21, the number was 143 and in 2021-22, the number was 185. (NHS Health Boards, FOI responses, accessed 17 June 2022, available on request).

Recorded incidents of bullying nearly doubled in NHS Tayside and increased by seven times in NHS Highland. In 2021-22, NHS Tayside recorded 35 cases of bullying in 2021-22, compared to 18 in 2020-21, an increase of 94%. Since 2018-19, recorded incidents of bullying have increased almost 6-fold, equivalent to 483%. In 2021-22, NHS Highland recorded 35 cases of bullying in 2021-22, compared to 5 in 2017-18, an increase of 600%. (NHS Health Boards, FOI responses, accessed 17 June 2022, available on request).

Behaviours recorded included racial discrimination, sexual harassment and cyber-bullying. According to the data, complaints were made about race and religion harassment and discrimination, insulting, malicious and intimidating behaviour, hostile working environments, bullying behaviours by line managers, derogatory tones, victimisation, cyber-bullying and threatening behaviour. (NHS Health Boards, FOI responses, accessed 17 June 2022, available on request).

This information was gained by a Freedom of Information request submitted to each of NHS Scotland’s 14 Health Boards. The responses, either individually or in their entirety, can be made available on request. Separately, where the values of statistics fall below 5 but are greater than 0, they were represented by ‘<5’ by the Health Boards in their responses to prevent the identification of individuals. Where a ‘<5’ value was received, it has been inputted in the below table as ‘3*’.