Bullying in the NHS ‘will probably increase’

Cases of bullying in the NHS are likely to increase as the health service faces workforce changes and a squeeze on government spending, delegates at the annual NHS Employers conference heard.

Madeline Campbell, a research associate at the NHS Northern Deanery, said workplace bullying was already a significant problem in the health service, and urged delegates to help staff develop coping strategies ahead of future changes. “Organisationally we need to be sensitive to the fact that the NHS is changing and it will increase bullying,” she said.