Our pathway for change: eliminating bullying and harassment in healthcare Janelle Hearn Principal Project Manager Health Service Programs Department of Health and Human Services 12 October 2016
Addressing bullying and harassment in Victorian health services Bullying and harassment in Victorian hospitals Case for change Victorian Auditor-General s Office (VAGO) audit Our pathway to change: eliminating bullying and harassment in healthcare Actions DHHS are taking to address bullying and harassment and workplace culture in Victorian hospitals Next steps
The challenge Bullying and harassment in Victoria s hospitals or in any workplace is simply unacceptable Hon Jill Hennessy, MP Minister for Health 12 March 2015 Everyone is entitled to perform their jobs in a safe and professional environment
The case for change March 2015 Media reports numerous claims of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment within healthcare Minister Hennessy requests VAGO audit RACS establishes Expert Advisory Group
The case for change what is the prevalence? 2014 People Matter Survey of Health Sector 69 health services 5225 responded YES to having experienced bullying in the last 12 months 37% 26,127 responses Responded YES to witnessing bullying
The case for change how does the health sector compare? The health sector consistently shows a higher level of perceived bullying compared to the rest of the public sector
The case for change what have others found? 49% 49% of fellows, trainees and international medical graduates report being subjected to discrimination, bullying or sexual harassment - RACS Expert Advisory Group, 2015 Subjected to bullying 54% Trainees 45% Fellows < 10 years post fellowship RACS Expert Advisory Group, 2015 10% of nurses had experienced regular bullying over a 12 month period Monash University commissioned by ANMF, April 2015 71% of hospitals reported discrimination, bullying or sexual harassment in their hospital in the last 5 years RACS Expert Advisory Group, 2015
VAGO audit: Bullying and Harassment in the Health Sector Tabled in parliament 23 March 2016 The audit included: 5 health services (including Ambulance Victoria) DHHS Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC) WorkSafe Victoria VAGO undertook extensive interviews, focus groups with managers and staff and analysed 82 public submissions
VAGO findings Inadequate leadership and accountability Insufficient priority to identify risk Inability to identify and understand the hazard Widespread under reporting Mechanisms for preventing and addressing inappropriate behaviours, and bullying and harassment are inadequate or ineffective Poor culture and lack of skills to address inappropriate behaviour, bullying and harassment Inadequate system wide guidance and support
VAGO recommendations to audited agencies 12 recommendations for health services Risk management approach Improve policies and procedures Use of indicators Application of a sector wide policy framework Mandatory and targeted training for staff and managers Improved record keeping Complaints management processes Capacity and capability of human resources Mechanisms for providing staff feedback Measurement of staff perception of safety
VAGO recommendations Four recommendations for DHHS, WorkSafe Victoria and VPSC Collaborate to share data and knowledge Develop a sector wide framework Support boards to understand responsibilities Develop a set of indicators
The structure of the Victorian health service system what is the Department s role? The Victorian Public Sector Commission Health system manager DHHS Employer Victorian public health services Regulator WorkSafe Victoria
Improving safety culture
Departmental strategy
Strengthening leadership and accountability Actions Deliver board education and hold boards to account Strengthen risk management approach Require health services to demonstrate implementation and evaluation of strategies, and trends to be monitored Mandate People Matter Survey annually Develop organisational framework
Building sector capability Actions Develop options to improve the bullying and harassment complaints process Minimum standard training Develop system wide indicators Share data and pool knowledge on prevalence and trends with WorkSafe, VPSC, Victorian Managed Insurance Authority Strengthen policies and procedures and identification of gaps Support health services to implement an integrated approach Improve reporting
Creating a positive environment Actions Campaign to increase awareness Develop a common code/pledge Support health services to identify environmental, OHS and culture risks Facilitate shared learning Reduce OHS risks 16 October 2016
Bullying and Harassment in Healthcare Advisory Group Bullying and Harassment in Healthcare Advisory Group established to provide expert advice to the department on the implementation of the strategy Advisory Group includes a range of key stakeholders Stakeholder engagement and championing change Advisory Group focusing on advising on key projects within the strategy and their implementation
Thank you Contact details: Janelle Hearn Principal Project Manager Department of Health and Human Services Ph: 9096 8325 or 0438 153 635 Janelle.Hearn@dhhs.vic.gov.au Link to strategy: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/about/publications/policiesandguid elines/dhhs-eliminating-bullying-and-harassment-strategy 16 October 2016