preventing staff harassment at an NHS trust
the challenge:
An incident of harassment had arisen at an NHS trust. We were
asked to protect their reputation and their personnel; to prevent
re-occurrences of this particular incident of harassment and to
help ensure the smooth running of the hospital by solving this
issue, which was giving rise to some disruption of day to day
activities.
our approach:
We considered the case and the balance to be struck between
recognising the individual and his/her human rights and the right
of staff to be protected from harassment. An injunction was
obtained to prohibit the individual from behaving in an offensive
manner and preventing continual telephone calls being made. When
the injunction was breached, we commenced proceedings against the
individual; we quantified the costs and applied for an order
capable of later enforcement in relation to these costs.
the results:
The breach of injunction was upheld in favour of the trust and
costs were awarded to them; an order to pay costs was agreed if, at
any time within six years, the individual comes into funds; the
personnel of the trust were protected.