Sir, I am writing to you in response to recent news articles online in the BDJ with regards to what is deemed 'serious' with regards to fitness to practise cases conducted by the General Dental Council (GDC),1 and rising levels of bullying and harassment being reported by NHS staff in the recent 2018 NHS staff survey.2
I have been subjected to such behaviour over several years which has impacted greatly on my health and wellbeing with regards to deterioration of a chronic health condition and the psychological impact of going through years of trying to have my genuine concerns heard, and acted upon appropriately. I eventually have had no choice but to leave the dental profession due to isolation, incivility, disrespect, harassment and bullying from colleagues, management and human resources.
Additionally, despite asking for assistance through several avenues, there seems to be widespread lack of support available for those who take the courage to stand up and speak out in order to bring changes to improve staff and health wellbeing. Such courage is for the benefit of being able to provide safe and effective care for those to whom we have a responsibility and duty as dental professionals.
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the CQC have started the #LetsRemoveIt3and Freedom to Speak Up4 national campaigns respectively. The GMC recently announced that they are proud members of the Anti-Bullying Alliance,5 and are piloting a professional behaviours and patient safety training programme.6 I am wondering when the GDC and the relevant trade unions representing all members of the dental team will also put their collective efforts into addressing, challenging, changing and preventing such behaviours from persisting, which are sadly still prevalent and inherent within the professions.7
References
O'Dowd A. Regulators to work together on clarifying 'serious' fitness to practise. Br Dent J 2019; 226: 475-476.
O'Dowd A. Health service staff stress rising amid plans for mental wellbeing help. Br Dent J 2019; 226: 389.
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Anti-Bullying and Undermining Campaign. Available at: https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/professional-support-development-resources/anti-bullying-and-undermining-campaign (accessed August 2019).
Care Quality Commission. National Guardian's Office. National Guardian Freedom to Speak Up. Available at: https://www.cqc.org.uk/national-guardians-office/content/national-guardians-office (accessed August 2019).
General Medical Council. GMC supports anti-bullying guide for health leaders. Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/news/news-archive/gmc-supports-anti-bullying-guide-for-health-leaders (accessed August 2019).
General Medical Council. Professional behaviours and patient safety programme. Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/about/how-we-work/corporate-strategy-plans-and-impact/supporting-a-profession-under-pressure/improving-support-for-doctors-to-raise-and-act-on-concerns/professional-behaviours-and-patient-safety-programme (accessed August 2019).
General Medical Council. An Alliance Against Bullying, Undermining and Harassment in the NHS. Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/about/anti_bullying_alliance_resource_doc_3april2019.pdf?la=en&hash=6B33CB3AB9C87FEE60CA780D1FAB4C5369B5FAAC (accessed 1 August 2019).
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Vora, A. Bullying and harassment . Br Dent J 227, 246–247 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-019-0685-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-019-0685-9
