The head of NHS Highland has welcomed a request from the Scottish Government’s health secretary for an external investigation into allegations of bullying at the health board, writes Neill Bo Finlayson.
Senior doctors and politicians from across the Highlands have been calling for a full independent investigation into NHS Highland aTher more than 100 healthcare workers came forward claiming there was a ‘severe bullying culture’ at the health board – with ‘one serious case’ reported at the Belford Hospital in Fort William. This week, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman MSP requested an independent external investigation be established to examine these allegations and seek resolutions.
The request has been widely welcomed by staff and politicians, as well as NHS chairman David Alston, who previously stated the health board has ‘nothing to hide’. He said: ‘I am very pleased that the cabinet secretary has publicly accepted our request for external support into allegations of a systematic culture of bullying across NHS Highland. The terms of reference will need to be drawn up by the Scottish Government in conjunction with representatives of all concerned, including NHS Highland.’