Fewer suspensions and dismissals at NHS Tayside
NHS Tayside staff have been suspended, disciplined or dismissed for offences including drug or alcohol misuse, fraud and drug errors over the last two years.
- By Graeme Bletcher
- Published in the Courier : 17.01.11
- Published online : 17.01.11 @ 04.59pm
Figures obtained under freedom of information legislation show the number of employees fired by the health board dropped significantly last year, compared to 2009.
Misconduct proved the largest cause of disciplinary action over both years, with 27 people on the health board's payroll involved in a hearing last year, against 43 the year before.
In all 19 staff were sacked for misconduct in 2009, while nine were dismissed for the same offence in 2010.
There were five workers who were asked to attend disciplinary hearings for the misuse of drugs or alcohol in 2009 and in the same year eight employees were disciplined for making drug errors.
Other reasons for dismissal over the last two years included disclosure of information and a breach of terms and conditions.
Contravening dignity at work guidelines led to a small number of suspensions, disciplinary hearings and dismissals.
The figures issued by the NHS also included a section marked "some other substantial reason" — however, no further breakdown was available.
Where the number of staff that had been suspended, disciplined or dismissed fell below five in any category, the exact total was not provided to avoid identifying the employee.
George Doherty, associate director for workforce at NHS Tayside, said, "The reduction in cases of suspension and formal disciplinary action during 2009 and 2010 is welcomed as a positive trend which reflects the continuing high standards and professionalism displayed by staff throughout NHS Tayside in delivering services across the region."
In October this year two nurses at an NHS unit in a private Dundee nursing home were suspended following incidents involving the distribution of drugs.
A further three members of staff were disciplined for their actions at the Pitkerro Intermediate Care Unit (PICU) in the Pitkerro Care Centre.
It is understood the disciplinary action regarded the method by which the distribution of the drugs was recorded.
The staff members were suspended on September 3 and are now back at the nursing home, although it is understood they are not working in the NHS unit.
At the time NHS Tayside confirmed "extra quality checks" were introduced.
Staff at all Tayside hospitals have been warned that they could face disciplinary action if they don't adhere to strict hygiene rules.
According to NHS figures, 11% of doctors are still failing to follow basic hand-washing procedures, compared with 5% of nurses and 8% of ancillary staff.
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