Public Board of Directors papers 27.01.22

• The difficulties of responding adequately to concerns raised anonymously without being able to speak directly to the person speaking up, and the importance of differentiating between anonymity and confidentiality • The importance of our zero-tolerance approach to bullying and undermining with a determination to address this whenever needed and no matter what the seniority of the staff involved. • The importance of maintaining high levels of staff training in equality and diversity awareness, bullying and harassment prevention and management, and other aspects of good people management practice. • Where investigations and audits have been appropriately initiated by the Trust they should be allowed to proceed before external interventions are contemplated by regulators. Recommendations The board of directors is invited to: 1. Note the conclusions of The NHS Regional Office including that no regulatory intervention or other action is required. 2. Note the comments and responses to the recommendations. 3. Note the learning points arising from our experience over the past two years. 4. To continue to revise and update policies in line with good practice.

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