Understanding why the NHS suffers from endemic levels of bullying and unprofessional behaviours could save the service £2.8 billion a year, according to a new investigation led by the University of Surrey.
The research, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, has developed and presented guidelines to help leaders in the health service tackle staff unprofessional behaviours at work.
Professor Jill Maben OBE, principal investigator of the study from the University of Surrey, said:
"Bullying alone costs the NHS upwards of £2 billion a year, with nearly half of staff saying they have experienced some form of unprofessional behaviour from colleagues, leading to many considering leaving the service. It is crucial that we take action soon and prioritise the implementation of interventions to rid the NHS of this scourge.
"We also need to better understand the root causes and the context in which these behaviours occur, especially as they disproportionately affect women and minority staff."
Dr Ruth Abrams, co-author of the study also from the University of Surrey, said:
"This study isn't just a theoretical, academic exercise – this is about ensuring the wellbeing of healthcare workers and, ultimately, the patients they serve. It's high time the UK NHS takes this as seriously as health systems in the USA, Canada, and Australia."
Researchers conducted a comprehensive literature review of interventions that aim to address unprofessional behaviours among staff in acute care settings. The study examined 3,000 global sources and found no evaluated solutions to address unprofessional behaviours in the UK.
The study highlights 12 crucial elements that are important for the design of interventions to tackle unprofessional behaviours. These can be common pitfalls leading to unintended consequences. They are:
The study highlights that current approaches largely overlook the unique challenges faced by women, staff from minority backgrounds, and those with disabilities. Disturbingly, over 4,000 NHS staff were accused of severe misconduct, including sexual assault and harassment, between 2017 and 2022, yet only 576 faced disciplinary action. Similarly, a recent Australian survey found that 14.5% of healthcare staff had experienced "extreme" forms of unprofessional behaviours at work.
Despite these statistics, the research found that only one existing intervention specifically aims to tackle racism in acute care settings. The study calls for a more targeted and inclusive approach, warning that without specific focus, the experiences of women and minority staff will continue to be overlooked, perpetuating systemic issues in healthcare environments both in the UK and globally.
Dr Justin Avery Aunger, research fellow on the study, said:
"Our review underscores that existing interventions against unprofessional behaviours between staff have significant limitations, often lacking a comprehensive, evidence-based approach. Moving forward, it's crucial that we incorporate behavioural science and implementation science frameworks into both the design and evaluation of interventions."
The study has been published by BMC Medicine .
The research team has also launched guidance for NHS teams – sharing further insights, options, and recommendations for addressing unprofessional behaviours. To learn more or download the guidance, visit the team's website .
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Notes to editors
The research team is available for interview upon request.
For more information, please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
BMC Medicine
Interventions to address unprofessional behaviours between staf in acute care: what works for whom and why? A realist review
31-Oct-2023