WATCH: 'Fear & intimidation from the very top' of NHS Highland

Medics at NHS Highland have highlighted what they insist are 'serious concerns', accusing bosses of suppressing criticism and creating a 'culture of fear and intimidation'.

The problems have been going on 'for at least a decade', the doctors claimed, adding this has had a 'serious detrimental effect on staff' as well as an 'adverse effect on the quality of care we are able to provide for patients''.

The group raised their concerns in a letter shown to MFR News, insisting: 'It is vital this bullying culture is exposed and finally now dealt with.'

The doctors spoke out a week after allegations of 'systematic bullying' at NHS Tayside were raised at Holyrood, with Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar telling MSPs about the suicide of one trainee doctor as a result.

The four NHS Highland doctors who signed the letter said they had done so to 'make clear our serious concerns around the long-standing bullying culture that exists within the health board where we work'.

They said: 'It is our belief that, for at least a decade, this practice of suppressing criticism, which emanates from the very top of the organisation, has led to a culture of fear and intimidation.

'This has had a serious detrimental effect on staff at all levels of NHS Highland, but equally importantly, has had an adverse effect on the quality of care we are able to provide for patients.'

They added that the imminent departure of NHS Highland chief executive Elaine Mead meant they felt 'now is the time to speak out and ensure effective action can be taken'.

The doctors who signed the letter are Eileen Anderson, chairwoman of the area medical committee, its vice chairwoman Lorien Cameron-Ross, Jonathan Ball, chairman of the GP subcommittee and Highland local medical committee chairman, and Iain Kennedy of the GP subcommittee.

DINGWALL GP REACTS TO DR HARVEY INTERVIEW:

They said: 'This is the moment that this has to change. We urgently need fresh leadership at NHS Highland to take the brave and extensive actions required to ensure NHS Highland is a safe, positive place to work, based on a culture of openness, transparency, learning and honesty.

HOSPITAL STAFFER REACTS TO DR HARVEY INTERVIEW:

'That is the only way that we will be able to guarantee a safe environment, delivering high quality care for patients for the future.'

Speaking to MFR News, Dr Iain Kennedy said: "We are concerned that there has been a bullying culture within the leadership of NHS Highland for the last decade.

"NHS Highland is not a safe place for people to speak up including non-executive directors within the Board room.

"There is going to be a change of leadership at NHS Highland and our members do not believe we can go forward until there is a recognition of what has been going on for the past decade.

"There is a culture of fear and our clinical staff and some managers have told us that when they have raised concerns they have felt intimidated and marginalised.

"And ultimately this bullying culture is bad for patients because if doctors and nurses don't feel able to speak up then there is a risk to patient safety."

Professor of Surgery. Director of Research Development & Innovation, NHS Highland Angus Mackintosh Watson referred to the whistleblowing statement, from a group of committees which represent around 750-doctors, as: 'disruptive' and warned that it 'will have a dreadful affect & a very negative impact on what, many of us, have being trying to achieve for NHS Highland over the years. There is no place for bad behaviours in any organisation & they should be dealt with....but not like this.'