The 2019 NHS staff survey showed that 19% of staff have experienced bullying or harassment in the last year from colleagues and 13% of staff experienced bullying or harassment in the last year from their manager.
The RCOphth believes that everyone should be treated with respect, supported and encouraged to do their best. NHS staff, at all levels, should work in an environment and culture of learning and improving to maintain high standards of patient care.
Disruptive behaviour has an impact upon patient safety and does not align with the General Medical Council (GMC)’s Good Medical Practice guidance or the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Practice 2015.
Bullying, undermining and abuse also drains limited NHS resources, and is estimated to cost the NHS in England at least £2.3bn a year in sickness absence, employee turnover, productivity and employment relations.
Links to support and advice
- NHS information about stress, anxiety, depression and bullying at work
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSED) anti-bullying and undermining campaign
- Anti-bullying information from Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
- Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) Creating a supportive environment