Labour Research December 2003

Health & Safety Matters

Bullying epidemic in the NHS

Bullying of health visitors, school nurses and community nurses in the NHS is rife, according a new survey. The survey was conducted for the Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association (CPHVA) and the Mental Health Nurses Association (MHNA), part of Amicus. It found that half the community nurses surveyed had been bullied mainly by senior managers. Around one-third (34%) had to take time off because of illness and stress, and around a half of those taking time off were absent for more than a month.