There is “no evidence” there has been change in attitude to bullying in the HSE, a staff member has alleged.
Last year, Lunchtime Live did a series of interviews with HSE staff members and trade union representatives who said the problem of bullying was widespread and corrosive within the health service.
The issue was raised in the Oireachtas and the HSE promised to make tackling it a “top priority”.
Despite this, listener Olivia said she still did not feel confident about the current system.
“There’s no evidence to suggest that it’s changed,” she told the programme.
“In my own case where I bought a grievance and it’s currently at stage 3 of the process, there has been a real lack of engagement with hospitals from management.
“So, in my own instance, the person against whom I took the complaint simply said they had no recollection of the event.
“So, then it becomes a case of my word against senior management and obviously that leaves me as a staff member in a very vulnerable position.
“So, I don’t have a lot of confidence in the policy and the procedure that governs the dignity of work.”
Progress?
Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane said “some changes” have been implemented since the issue was raised on Lunchtime Live.
“There’s a lot that happens in the health service and obviously a big focus is on the treatment of patients but we also have to focus on the staff as well,” he said.
“We had some very emotive hearings from those who work on the frontline in healthcare and are trade union representatives in relation to bullying but also assaults against frontline workers.”
Deputy Cullinane said a new bullying policy was put in place in 2022 and last year there had been “very extensive training” rolled out by the HSE.
“What I think was additional for 2023, which I think was really important, was that all of that training in relation to dignity in work and the anti-bullying practices has been made mandatory for the first time,” he said.
“I think that’s a step forward because if you remember when we first raised this issue, the issue of training was one of the issues that was raised by many people - or lack of training.
“The fact it is now mandatory and the fact that this stoplight that was shone on the issue has resulted in that is a step forward.”
In response, Olivia said she did not believe mandatory training would “make any difference at all.”
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Main image: Someone experiencing bullying. Picture by: FotoRieth from Pixabay
