MSP disappointed that patients who've been bullied ruled out of Sturrock review

21st December 2018

Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has ruled out allowing patients, who claim they have been bullied, to submit their concerns to the QC led review into allegations of NHS Highland bullying and harassment.

This is contrary to reply in the Scottish Parliament chamber during a members' business debate last month when Ms Freeman said: "The review will explore the underlying issues and will include conversations with any affected individuals, including current and former staff, their representatives, board members, management and patients, if patients wish to come forward."

Labour's Shadow Health Minister, David Stewart, who also represents the Highlands and Islands, said he was extremely disappointed by the response from the Health Secretary in a Parliamentary Question he lodged.

Ms Freeman said in her reply that patients could make contact with stories of staff bullying staff and their written representations will help inform the John Sturrock review.

"I certainly picked up during the previous debate that patients who have been bullied or harassed would be able to feed in directly to the Sturrock review," explained Mr Stewart.

"But it turns out that they will only be able to take part if they have witnessed staff being bullied and not if they have been bullied themselves.

“Patients who have contacted me will be bitterly disappointed about this as they were very keen to let their voices be heard."