NHS Highland has apologised over payouts to victims of bullying after compensation was heavily taxed
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NHS Highland has issued an apology to bullying victims over issues surrounding the taxation of payouts just as the board moves to ramp-up long-term efforts to tackle workplace harassment.
HR director Fiona Hogg said those involved in developing the Healing Process put in place to offer restitution, compensation and psychological support to victims regret not being clearer about the financial implications.
Last year, it emerged that NHS Highland bullying victims’ payouts were made through payroll and were therefore subject to tax, there were also fears that confidentiality could also be compromised.
Ms Hogg identified the failing as not being clear enough when developing the process that payments would be subject to tax and national insurance.
“Firstly I’d like to say we are very sorry we didn't pick this up as a potential issue sooner than we did. We know that it has caused a significant amount of concern and confusion – that was never our intention,” she said.
“This process is about healing and there has been a considerable amount of effort and time expended to try and make this as smooth as possible so we are very sorry if anyone has been distressed as a result of this.
“With the benefit of hindsight, the practical elements of the process, like the processing of financial payments, should have had specific attention and discussion in the co-production to ensure that everyone had the same understanding and awareness and so that any questions and concerns were addressed before we launched the process.”
The health board also reached a decision to tackle a major problem with asbestos at the Raigmore Hospital and other sites in the region to reduce the potential risk associated with the substance.
Agreement was reached to establish an inspection and monitoring system of asbestos, which can cause cancer and other diseases.
A risk analysis revealed asbestos is a problem in a "number of areas... primarily in Raigmore" but it also appears to be a problem at other major facilities including Ian Charles Hospital in Grantown and St Vincent's Hospital in Kingussie.
It was highlighted as a problem in Raigmore as far back as 2005 when an estate manager’s report identified it as a “significant hazard”.
One of the main obstacles to its complete removal is that it entails the closure of quite large areas of the hospital to complete and even then there are mixed results.
This at a time when NHS Highland are under more pressure than ever due to the ongoing pandemic.
