Hospital bully culture allegations continue

By Jonty Dine

In 2021, an investigation into the nurse’s behaviour at Wairau Hospital was carried out and she was stood down with pay for four and a half months.

Now a group of nurses from Nelson Hospital allege the culture is so toxic that it put one into a deep depression.

“Our hospital system is broken, and it is almost beyond repair,” one nurse, who spoke on condition of anonymity, says.

The nurse, whom Marlborough Weekly has decided not to name, oversees a department at both Wairau and Nelson Hospital.

She returned to work last year after an investigation into her conduct

However, according to a group of nurses, her behaviour has not changed.

Nelson Marlborough Health’s general manager people and capability, Trish Casey, confirmed actions were taken to improve the working environment.

“There has been a process of looking into some concerns in relation to that employee. There have been recommendations, actions and suggestions which are being implemented.”

The nurses allege the senior colleague has been allowed to stay on as she has been seemingly financially successful at running what they say is an underfunded department.

Nurses also say there is a high staff turnover.

“I have seen about 50 nurses come and go,” one says. “They are getting rid of good people, people who care.”

Nelson Hospital’s director of nurses, Sandy McLean-Cooper, says she is disappointed to hear of the allegations and encourages any nurses with concerns to come to her.

“It is sad to think nurses feel they can’t put their hands up.”

She says care is at the heart of everything they do.

“We take this really seriously; people don’t come to work to not feel safe.”

Sandy says they try to settle grievances at a management level before it escalates.

“We are fairly confident we have good processes in place.”

The health board’s Trish Casey says they have a robust process for dealing with staff complaints.

“With 3000 staff we do have a number of issues come up and they can range from fairly minor things that managers can deal with on the spot, through to things that require HR support, to full blown investigations.”

She says issues will try to be resolved by a manager in the first instance before progressing to Human Resources.

“If wrongdoing is found, the appropriate remedies will be put in place if something meets the definition of bullying.”

Trish says they are guided by the WorkSafe definition of bullying, which is that it must be repeated, unreasonable behaviour targeted at an individual or group which can result in physical or psychological harm.

The nurses say they all fear for their jobs if they complain about the culture.

“You can fight, and fight, and fight - and lose,” one says. “Or just walk away.”