LOCAL POLITICIANS have slammed the bullying and harassment that has been reported in NHS Ayrshire and Arran hospitals.

Almost 100 staff at the radiography departments at Crosshouse and Ayr Hospital lodged formal grievances with some “on the brink of suicide”.

The Society of Radiographers (SoR) revealed that 85 staff working in the diagnostic imaging department’s signed a collective grievance letter which was sent to chief executive John Burns on April 3.

National officer for Scotland (SoR) Deborah Shepherd described the move as the “final straw after years of bullying, harassment and victimisation”.

She said she had been personally telephoned in the past two years by two individuals on the verge of ending their lives over work pressures.

Brian Whittle MSP for South Scotland said that the reports of bullying in Ayrshire hospitals were “deeply troubling.”

Mr Whittle said: “Bullying is always unacceptable and the suggestion that it’s taking place within NHS Ayrshire & Arran are deeply troubling. These allegations must be fully investigated and I’d encourage anyone who has experienced any kind of bullying to come forward.”

Dr Philippa Whitford MP for Central Ayrshire called for the issue to be investigated.

Dr Whitford told the Ayr Advertiser:“I raised the issue with John Burns the chief executive after I heard the reports. I can’t really comment in detail on the case, other than clearly bullying is something that is disruptive and that it has to be investigated.”

As a former specialist surgeon who spent 19 years at Crosshouse Hospital, Ms Whitford has called for staff to work together and not against each other to ensure patients get the best care.

Ms Whitford added: “I was kind of surprised because I worked so closely with the X-Ray department. I always found Crosshouse to be a really friendly hospital to work in and that is why I am so saddened.

“The NHS is under so much pressure and that’s when people can become more bad tempered. That’s why it’s really important we think about how we are with each other.

“ If someone is always picking on you and criticising you it undermines your ability to make decisions.”