Bullying culture exposed in SA Health Forensic Mental Health Service, including James Nash House

A disturbing bullying culture exposed by a review into the Forensic Mental Health Service needs urgent action, it has been recommended.

Urgent improvements must be made “strengthening cultural safety” at the Forensic Mental Health Service, a review triggered by bullying allegations has recommended.

The review confirmed the allegations and laid bare concerning workplace behaviour.

“Concerningly, a few (staff) described ‘gaslighting’ and suicidal ideation. Some staff resigned,” the review stated.

“These observations were reflected in high turnover rates, absenteeism and a workplace which relied heavily on industrial representation to solve problems.”

It also states: “A significant number of staff reported bullying and harassment in various forms. Many claimed that they did not feel psychologically safe at work.

“These observations were reflected in high turnover rates, absenteeism and a workplace which relied heavily on industrial representation to solve problems.”

A report has recommended urgent improvements to culture at James Nash House.

Anonymous staff at Adelaide’s James Nash House, which houses patients deemed by courts as not guilty, or unfit to plead due to mental incompetence, had released a public letter to top politicians, health officials and media outlets alleging a “bullying culture” existed.

It claimed some staff were belittled, insulted, humiliated and constantly put down by other staff members, and if victims complain they are further targeted “until they have no option but to leave or retire earlier than preferred”.

As well as confirming deep-seated staff problems, the review noted: “Parts of the infrastructure (James Nash House) are very poor, represent unacceptable risks for patients and staff, do not meet contemporary standards and need replacement urgently.”

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) which runs the service, ordered the review and now says it is committed to creating a better, more modern, and contemporary Forensic Mental Health Service following the independent review.

The external review, commissioned in July 2023, investigated the leadership, culture, patient safety, staff safety and governance of the service following staff complaints.

NALHN chief executive Maree Geraghty. Picture: Dylan Coker

It found while the care provided to consumers was not identified as an area of concern, urgent improvements must be made to strengthening cultural safety, improving management of staff and investing in training.

All of the findings and the six recommendations made in the review have been accepted. An independent administrator will be appointed to oversee an action plan and its implementation.

The review saw extensive consultation over five months including 47 group meetings with staff, 45 individual meetings, analysing 56 written submissions and two staff forums.

NALHN chief executive Maree Geraghty said the review provided valuable insight into the Forensic Mental Health Service.

“We will be working with our staff to ensure the matters raised are addressed as quickly and thoroughly as possible,” she said.

“There’s more to do, but we are absolutely committed to making the changes required to deliver a quality Forensic Mental Health Service for the community.

“Staff have responded positively to this review and to the actions we are proposing. I thank them for the commitment they have for the safety and wellbeing of consumers and colleagues.”