THERE will be no place in Ballarat Health Services for bullying or harassment under the organisation’s new chief executive officer Dale Fraser.
One of Mr Fraser’s first duties will be to oversee the release of a draft report into an alleged bullying culture and the implementation of agreed actions for change across BHS.
The independent review findings remain before the board. Mr Fraser said the report, once released, would be quite illuminating on what had gone wrong but it was important to set the right tone in handling the report and in moving the organisation forward.
Mr Fraser made clear to all staff on Monday, his first day on the job, there would be zero tolerance for any bullying actions or acceptance under his watch. And ‘zero tolerance’ was not a phrase he used lightly: “Any staff member who wishes to undertake such actions, this is not the organisation for them,” Mr Fraser told The Courier.
Mr Fraser said a key part of his role and leadership was to empower and engage all BHS staff. This includes supporting staff to prevent and appropriately deal with behaviour reported. This also includes fostering work environments for staff to reach their full potential.
“We’re a people organisation. One thing we do quite well is care for people and people should include staff,” Mr Fraser said. "Our staff are an important part of the community...they deserve a workplace free from violence and free from risks.”
Bullying allegations in some BHS departments, particularly youth mental health, surfaced last year.
Mr Fraser was also keen to promote greater preventative health tools, education and support in communities across the region. He also wants to strengthen collaboration with health partners and general practitioners.
A former BHS chief financial officer, Mr Fraser returns after working for Barwon Health and his last role as Goulburn Valley Health CEO.
