Third of New Cross Hospital staff voice concerns over reporting bullying
Around a third of staff questioned in a survey at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital don't feel safe or confident about reporting bullying or other workplace concerns.
And of concerns that are raised with bosses, nearly half of the workforce aren't certain they will be investigated.
The findings followed a 'freedom to speak up' survey taken by more than 1,500 staff at the Royal Wolverhampton Trust, which runs New Cross as well as GP surgeries hospitals in Cannock and at West Park and community sites.
NHS bosses have come under pressure to ensure hospitals and other health facilities develop a culture where staff feel they are able to raise concerns.
Positive responses to the survey in October increased in every category from the previous year, apart from confidence, which stayed the same, suggesting the trust is moving in the right direction.
Bosses, however, admitted there was still work to do to ensure more staff feel comfortable with raising workplace issues.
A report also said some staff has raised initial concerns to designated 'guardians' but were wary about escalating them further up the ladder.
A total of 64 per cent of staff said they felt confident they could speak up, while 61 per cent said they felt safe to do so. This was up three per cent.
Some 51 per cent said they felt their complaints would be investigated, a rise of four per cent, and 42 per cent said they believed they would receive feedback on their concerns, a rise of four per cent. Less than a third, 31 per cent, believe they would be thanked for speaking up, a rise of three per cent.
A freedom to speak up (FTSU) report said: "There has been slight increase in the numbers of staff that responded who feel safe speaking up, know that concerns will be investigated, will receive feedback and will be thanked for raising their concerns.
"However the number of staff feeling confident to speak up has remained the same, and so this brings about a sense to ensure further organisation developmental work to instil confidence amongst the workforce in speaking up."
Neelam Mehay, Freedom to Speak Up Guardian at trust, said: “According to the 2018 national staff survey figures (which are the latest results we have) we are above average for the number of staff who feel confident raising concerns and there has been an increased trend in the numbers of staff raising concerns.
“This year we have delivered nine manager training sessions and nine staff training sessions to help embed Freedom to Speak Up further into the organisation.
“As well as a Freedom to Speak Up guardian, we also have 11 contact links who can provide informal and confidential guidance on how to raise a concern.
“Our growing numbers of staff who feel safe to speak up show a real commitment to the wellbeing and safety of our staff and patients.
“There is room for improvement and the Trust is working hard to strengthen the profile and presence of Freedom to Speak Up and ensure that speaking up is business as usual across the trust.”
It follows a bullying scandal at neighbouring Russells Hall in Dudley.
Bosses at the hospital were ultimately cleared but staff claimed their concerns had been "brushed under the carpet".
