The General Medical Council (GMC) has published the initial results of its first ever survey of specialty and associate specialist (SAS) and locally employed (LE) doctors, which found that 30% of SAS doctors and 23% of their LE counterparts had been bullied, undermined or harassed at work in the last year.
Around one in six respondents reported suffering threatening or insulting comments or behaviour.
Where bullying related to protected characteristics was reported, race was the most commonly-cited factor. Responding to the GMC survey of SAS and LE doctors, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said: “Today’s survey findings are extremely concerning. It is unacceptable for any NHS member of staff to experience bullying and undermining behaviour from colleagues and patients. These actions fundamentally contradict the core values of the NHS of respect and dignity, compassion and inclusion. Professionals working in SAS and locally employed roles are essential members of the NHS workforce, and yet it is clear that SAS doctors have been experiencing disproportionate feeling of isolation, and being undervalued, for some time
“It is particularly distressing to see that race is the most commonly-cited factor in reports of bullying behaviour. We know that there are strong links between a diverse workforce and good patient care.
“Trusts are aware of the need to improve the offer to staff working in these roles, but more work and wider support is needed to ensure that this trend discontinues across the health and care system.
“In the coming months, we hope to see agreement over a new multi-year contract for SAS doctors which should help set the foundations for improved recognition and reward. The NHS must also act swiftly with an ambition to exponentially improve the experience of BME staff in 2020 and beyond.”
