New job due to Bullying in the NHS

BisousKitty

So I’m on my break it’s 2.am and I am sick of my colleagues bullying myself and others. 

There are some wonderful people in my hospital and on the whole it’s a fabulous place, we are situated with wildlife all around the wards and I am Very well paid 

My managers turn a blind eye despite this department haemorrhaging staff and HR don’t want to know. They replied to my email with a message saying talk to the managers, who politely listened again and took no action. 

We also have issues with safeguarding, several times I have raised our near misses and I think this is why they would be happy to see me go. I came from trusts down south and it was a much stricter system here everyone is related and you have to be very careful who says what to whom. Also my RP accent seems to upset my colleagues but you can’t help where you’re born. 
But I guess it’s my fault, over the past year I’ve reported staff going off for a smoke, having a nap when they are supposed to be awake
 (Many emergency alarms here ) and just not actually doing anything all shift but using their phones and gossiping. 

So I’ve done myself no favours. 

Anyway 

I’m thinking of giving it all up and trying to find some kind of  job but I am 49 and honestly I don’t know what the job market is like at the moment 
my current income is £2300 per month and if I leave my post I could have approx £800 a month from other sources to tide me over 
but with a house to run and car and a dependant adult I support and care for it would mean a big change. 

it’s almost unbearable choice isn’t it  - mental health vs income 

My house is paid for at least - a bonus of moving up here. 
I’m a good employee the only time off I had was when I had Covid and even then I only missed 5 shifts as I had leave booked. 

I am looking at other positions but I haven’t found one yet. During Covid many jobs have disappeared.

Any suggestions ( pls be nice this is my first post ) 

JamoLew

You don't actually mention any behavior that would/could be classed as bullying.
From your take home pay, I would guess you are top B6 or even B7 which in nursing are quite senior roles.
You are 49, so life experienced, so why not use your position/experience to tackle bullying head on - tell people that their actions and behavior are unacceptable - have you done this ? 
Most bullies dont realise they are doing it - reporting up the chain for me wouldn't necessarily be my first course of action.
You are a serial whistle blower (not getting into that some +, some -) -- have you thought that this may be the root cause of any issues ?
How long have you been at this trust ?
To me, it sounds like not long and you have just come in size 12s first telling everyone that what they are doing is wrong/the wrong way -- from experience, people who do this form other trusts usually DONT last long. Change is good, but it has to come from inside (with a little bit of prodding from outside)
Southern trusts (in my perception) are much better funded and able to attract better/more staff and use different systems of work. IMO anything north of Watford (cause is int Landan innit) is poorly funded and generally forgotten/ignored - we make do with what the much more important southerners think we deserve
No idea what a RP accent is - I work with Welsh, Scots, Irish,Chinese,Indian,Pakistanis,Burmese,Czech,Bengali (and more)and it makes not a jot of difference to me.
Are  you are trying to suggest the bullying is motivated by something else ?
If all else fails - plenty of nursing jobs "up north" regardless of what you say

KatrinaWaves

RP is reserved pronunciation, like off the news (not anymore) so ‘posh’ so not suggesting a racial element

TELLIT01

Have you put your claims in writing to HR and your managers?  If not, you need to if you hope to get any sort of resolution.  If you still get no action, and I don't mean necessarily action which agrees with your view, it needs to be escalated to the local Health Trust.

lincroft1710

KatrinaWaves said:

RP is reserved pronunciation, like off the news (not anymore) so ‘posh’ so not suggesting a racial element

RP is received pronunciation

KatrinaWaves

lincroft1710 said:

KatrinaWaves said:

RP is reserved pronunciation, like off the news (not anymore) so ‘posh’ so not suggesting a racial element

RP is received pronunciation

Ah close enough! 

MalMonroe

"There are some wonderful people in my hospital and on the whole it’s a fabulous place, we are situated with wildlife all around the wards and I am Very well paid "

I worked in the NHS for many years, as well as in other environments and I found that you always get people who don't want to work, who try to get out of work, spend time gossiping, etc. It's really annoying but in my experience those people always get their comeuppance and are either reprimanded or sacked. Unless you're a manager yourself, there is very little you can do. Can you just put your head down and get on with your own work?  Are you in any kind of position of power where you are able to discipline others? If not you're probably better off just minding your own business.  It seems harsh but whistleblowers are generally universally disliked, especially if they are newcomers. 

Exactly what kind of bullying goes on?  If you really can't bear this job, I'm sure there must be plenty of others available in the health service, either national or private, especially currently. Your age is no disadvantage or barrier whatsoever. It's your skills and experience that should be taken into account. Employers are not allowed to discriminate against anyone on grounds of age by law. 

Why don't you have a look online and see what kinds of jobs are available? Or even aim for a promotion? You have so much going for you! I know you're feeling frustrated but please don't give up. All NHS workers are doing such a great job for us all now.  If all else fails, you could have a word with your GP to see if they would support you having some time off work. Your mental health is very important and you'd have a little time to think about exactly what you want to do. In the meantime, thank you very much for all you've done so far. Good luck.

MalMonroe

lincroft1710 said:

KatrinaWaves said:

RP is reserved pronunciation, like off the news (not anymore) so ‘posh’ so not suggesting a racial element

RP is received pronunciation

Thank you for that! I was going to say the same thing. 

AW618

MalMonroe said:

Why don't you have a look online and see what kinds of jobs are available? Or even aim for a promotion? You have so much going for you! I know you're feeling frustrated but please don't give up. All NHS workers are doing such a great job for us all now.  If all else fails, you could have a word with your GP to see if they would support you having some time off work. Your mental health is very important and you'd have a little time to think about exactly what you want to do. In the meantime, thank you very much for all you've done so far. Good luck.

One of the reasons NHS staff are overworked is everyone running to the doctor to ask for time off for "mental health" every time they have an argument with a  colleague.