Bullying cases in the health service rose by nearly 50 per cent last year.
Newly released figures show there were 10 cases across NHS Dumfries and Galloway in 2021/22, compared to seven the previous year.
And it’s a significant jump from 2017/18, when less than five cases were recorded.
Galloway and West Dumfries Tory MSP, Finlay Carson insisted that the increase “simply cannot be tolerated”.
He said: “Even one case is simply one too many and action must be taken to ensure staff are rightly protected when they turn up for work each day.
“Bullying of any kind should not be allowed and is the last thing our health workers need.
“Given the problems with recruiting and retaining staff – no one should be subjected to intimidation in the workplace. This dramatic rise is alarming and action must be taken to ensure this culture is wiped out.”
A regional health board spokesman said: “Any report or suspicion around bullying is taken very seriously by NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
“Any such behaviour is completely unacceptable within a culture which has been developed to try to ensure staff are supported and protected at all
times. In a situation where bullying is reported or suspected, concerns will be listened to and discussion will take place with the employee on progressing these concerns in line with the Once for Scotland Bullying and Harassment Policy.
“Staff welfare and wellbeing is of paramount importance, and everyone working within NHS Dumfries and Galloway should be assured that any and all concerns around bullying will be dealt with in a professional and supportive manner.”
The figures were revealed following a series of Freedom of Information Requests by the Scottish Conservatives.
They discovered there were 185 cases across Scotland last year, compared to 143 in 2020/21.
And they also claim there has been a rise of nearly 50 per cent in bullying cases since 2017/18. Shadow Health Secretary, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, 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”
“Ministers have made clear to health boards that bullying and harassment is unacceptable, and we expect them to ensure any reported incidents are taken seriously and fully investigated. Everyone who works in our health service must have the confidence to raise any concerns they may have, particularly in these unprecedented and challenging times.”
