Independent Review Panel Members Appointed For The Nhs Highland Healing Process

26th June 2020

The Healing Process, set up to support individuals who suffered bullying or harassment in the past while working for NHS Highland in Highland and Argyll and Bute, has announced the members of its independent review panel.

Access to the independent review panel is one of the options available to those who seek help through the Healing Process. The other options are: being heard, an apology and access to psychological therapies. The focus of the panel, which will be held remotely in light of Covid-19, will be on listening to, and understanding, each individual's experiences and circumstances and finding the resolution that is most likely to aid healing.

The independent review panel members are:

• Michael Fuller (panel chair) who was employed as Scottish NHS officer for the trade union, Unite, for almost 25 years and represented members individually and collectively across Scotland. He has worked as a trade union member of the Employment Tribunals in Scotland, was a board member of Healthcare Improvement Scotland and has been a non-executive director of NHS Lanarkshire for the last eight years.

• Tracy Boylin who has worked in a number of senior management roles in human resources. In recent years, she has held consultancy roles for bodies including the Scottish Government, Scottish Ombudsman, Working Transitions, NHS England and the Medical Defence Shield.

• Frances Elliot who began her 36-year career with the NHS as a GP before working in a number of senior management roles. Latterly, she was medical director for NHS Fife. She is interim executive director of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.

• Neil Maclean who is partner and head of employment law at Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP and has been practising employment and discrimination law for over 20 years.

• Ian H Reid who held a number of senior management roles in the health service, including director of human resources with the reformed NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the largest NHS Board in Scotland. He has carried out investigations and made recommendations into significant bullying and harassment cases in a number of organisations.

Michael Fuller, independent review panel chair, said: "I'm looking forward to bringing to the Healing Process my skills and many years of experience in representing people across the NHS in a variety of roles. I’m committed to working with my fellow panel members, and everyone involved to ensure everything is managed sensitively and independently for people who have suffered bullying or harassment while working in NHS Highland, in Highland and Argyll and Bute, in the past and to help to heal the harm that has been caused as a result."

NHS Highland Board chair, Professor Boyd Robertson, said: "We are pleased to see the Healing Process moving forward with the appointment of its independent review panel members.

“We have been unequivocal in our support of those who have experienced bullying and harassment, and we reaffirm that we are deeply sorry for the harm that has been caused."

The Healing Process, funded by the Scottish Government, was developed by NHS Highland in close partnership with colleagues, trade union representatives and whistle blowers. It was established in response to an independent review by John Sturrock QC on allegations of bullying and harassment within NHS Highland. The review found that a significant number of current and former employees may have suffered from bullying or harassment over a number of years.

Anyone who feels they would benefit from the Healing Process is asked to get in touch through its bespoke website, email address or telephone number.

Visit: www.healing-process.co.uk

Email: healingprocess@cmpsolutions.com

Tel: 03333 445892