THE first in a series of conferences aimed at tackling ‘significant’ bullying and harassment within Oxfordshire’s hospitals will be held this week and aimed at senior leaders.

Concerns were raised about ‘hot spots’ for bullying across Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), which runs the three Headington hospitals and the Horton General in Banbury, in the national NHS Staff Survey.

Following the publication of the results in March, bosses at OUH have started to take steps to tackle the problem, which they noted ‘can have an adverse impact on staff health and wellbeing, performance and OUH reputation’.

So far a ‘Freedom to Speak Up’ lead guardian has been appointed for staff to raise concerns with anonymously.

Workshops have also been held on unconscious bias and awareness of the trust’s employee assistance programme.

On Wednesday, July 19, chairwoman Dame Fiona Caldicott will hold the first in a series of conferences, themed around dignity and respect at work.

In a report seen by the board, interim director of workforce Susan Young said: “The aim of the day is to encourage senior leaders to take responsibility within OUH to eradicate bullying and harassment.

“In-depth analysis of staff survey results identified ‘hot spots’ and a significant trust-wide trend which directly involved staff experiencing unacceptable behaviours from patients, relatives and the public. Similar trends can be seen in perceived bullying behaviour from line managers and colleagues.”