A BULLYING culture in NHS Highland goes far beyond four doctors who made their concerns public last week and affects staff across every discipline, according to a health union.

The GMB, which is encouraging staff to share their experiences of intimidation, said the medics’ fears had been endorsed by “many people” who had come forward since they went public and is calling for a public inquiry.

It comes after NHS Highland’s chair, David Alston, accepted external support from the director-general of NHS Scotland, Paul Gray, “to help us understand and address the substance of any concerns raised by our clinicians”.

Liz Gordon, GMB regional officer in Inverness, said some people who had been affected by bullying had already met the doctors who had acted as whistleblowers.

She said: “Following the open letter last week, many people have stepped forward to endorse the concerns that were raised. It is now clear that people have been affected while working in support services, nursing, clinical and administrative roles – sectors across NHS Highland.

“The clinical whistleblowers, BMA, GMB and the MeTooBullied group shared their experiences in what was, at times, harrowing testimony.”

She said the union was collating the evidence and wants people to contact her in confidence.

“With no faith that the existing senior leadership team of NHS Highland to bring resolution, it has been proposed that a group meet with the Scottish Government to discuss options for a public inquiry,” Gordon added.

Ned Larkin, from Inverness – who was involved in a campaign to save the Highland Heartbeat Centre – told the National he had seen evidence of the bullying.

“During our research into the background of the decision to hijack the Highland Heartbeat Centre, located within Raigmore, we were made aware of the following.

“In, or about, October 2016, out of the blue and with no prior discussion involving them, the staff of the Highland Heartbeat Centre were told they had 10 days to clear their personal belongings from the Heartbeat Centre because it was to be ‘repurposed’.

The staff were also cautioned not to speak about the matter.

“Now, to me, that looks like evidence of bullying.

“The saddest thing in this affair is encapsulated in something a lady, who spent her working life at Raigmore, said, ‘You know, I used to go to work thinking I was doing all I could to help the people who came in because they were sick or injured.

“It was heartbreak to learn we had a management structure more concerned about its corporate image than the care of our patients’.”

Alston said: “We are keen to understand the concerns which have been raised.

“We also want to support any member of staff who has concerns and would encourage them to contact us directly.

“All staff were emailed a week ago with this advice.”