• Rachael Pope and Bernard Burnes.
• Bridport Community Hospital, Dorset.
• Nurs Times. 2009 Oct 6; 105 (39): 20-4.

BackgroundEvidence suggests that bullying behaviours are common in the NHS. Various health organisations in the area studied had experienced problems with negative behaviours between staff and it was decided that research was needed.AimTo assess and analyse negative behaviours experienced and/or witnessed by primary healthcare staff.MethodA mainly quantitative questionnaire was sent to random samples of staff in two primary care trusts, and a small "contact group" who had sought help because of negative behaviours.ResultsIn PCT A 63% and in PCT B 53% of respondents considered they had experienced and/or witnessed some level of negative behaviour in the previous 12 months. Most of the behaviour was described as incivility (67% in the random sample overall). Some of the incivility was also perceived as bullying but some was not. Regardless of perception, similar levels of negative effect were experienced.DiscussionFocusing on bullying alone and on frequency of behaviour misses part of the picture; what counts is the negative experience.ConclusionOrganisations need to take a broader view and prevent the full range of damaging negative behaviour between staff.

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