NHS Mediation Scheme 'Highly Commended' in National HRM Award.

The Excellence in HRM Award

» download the The Excellence in HRM Award compendium 2008

HMPA Highly Commended Winner

Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust: Developing a staff mediation service Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust were highly commended winners in the category of HR Impact on Cultural Change.

The staff mediation service has helped resolve relationship problems between staff which in the past accounted for many referrals to the occupational health and staff counselling service. It is now rare for a case of perceived bullying or harassment or conflict to go to grievance without both parties having attempted mediation.

The gradual culture change begins to ‘normalise’ conflict in high pressured environments where a third party intervention can help. Mediation is seen as a first ‘port of call’ in a dispute. Twelve members of staff from various occupational groups trained as accredited workplace mediators by TCM - leaders in the field of workplace mediation.

Over the past two years, 19 out of 20 cases have reached agreement. Significant savings have been made by reducing the numbers of cases going to grievance. The service makes a difference to patient care and creates better relationships.

Contact Teresa Jennings on 01912934193 or teresa.jennings@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust also won the award for:

A strategy for dealing with organisational stress hotspots.