Reducing Levels of Harassment and Bullying

Lead Researcher: Chris Woodrow

Programme Director: David Guest

Aims

The broad aim of this project is to analyse the causes and consequences of bullying and harassment amongst healthcare staff.  An intervention to reduce the behaviour will then be developed from this information.

Why is this important?

Data from the National Survey of NHS Staff shows that reported levels of bullying and harassment are above the national average in some London NHS trusts.  Bullying and harassment behaviour has significant negative consequences for staff well being, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that these consequences are passed on to patients through poor service quality.  It is therefore of the utmost importance that research is undertaken to understand the process through which bullying occurs so that new methods can be designed to prevent the behaviour.

Who is involved?

This study involves research with staff from a variety of other London NHS foundation trusts.  Quantitative and qualitative methods are being used.

Anticipated outcomes

This project has produced a number of reports and conference presentations to date.  It is envisaged that an intervention to reduce bullying and harassment will be designed in the near future and implemented in trusts in the London area.