Whistleblower accuses senior Ayrshire Hospice figures of 'bullying and intimidation'

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is now “assessing” information submitted to them “very recently.”

The Ayrshire Hospice is at the centre of a whistleblowing report accusing some senior figures of “bullying,” “intimidation” and “inappropriate behaviour.”

Ayrshire Live can exclusively reveal that the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is now “assessing” information submitted to them “very recently.”

The information they are reviewing is of a “similar nature” to a potentially damaging e-mail sent by a whistleblower to as many as 20 senior figures and trustees at the hospice.

Ayrshire Live can reveal that the Hospice Board is taking “immediate steps” to “understand and address” the contents of the email.

In it, the whistleblower raises major concerns over the conduct of one senior figure and “certain members” of the leadership team, who we are not naming.

The email then goes on to say: “These concerns relate to ongoing bullying, intimidation, and inappropriate behaviour directed at staff, creating a toxic and hostile work environment.”

The whistleblower alleges that, over a “sustained period,” “multiple employees” have witnessed or personally experienced instances of:

* Persistent intimidation and verbal abuse, including threats over job security

* Public humiliation and belittling of employees in meetings and workplace interactions

* Retaliation against staff who raise concerns or challenge unfair treatment

* An overall culture of fear, where employees feel unable to speak up.

The email goes on: “This behaviour is not only in direct violation of the company’s policies on workplace respect and dignity, but also poses significant risks to employee wellbeing, morale, and the hospice reputation.”

The individual says they’re “reluctant” to report issues through internal channels due to fears over “retaliation.”

They also claim internal process and hospice policy would ‘not be followed’ leaving them with “no option” but to “escalate” matters.

The email reads: “I urge the board to take immediate and impartial action by launching an investigation into these allegations.

“A failure to address this issue will not only continue to harm employees, but may also expose the hospice to legal and reputational risks.”

The individual, in their e-mail correspondence, warns they are prepared to provide “further details and evidence” to support their claim “if required.” They also advise trustees to speak to other members of staff (who they list) who they claim could “speak openly.”

The whisteblower ends the email by saying: “I do not feel safe to put my name to this as I have seen the retaliation and dismissal of complaints against other members of staff that have raised issues.

“This email has been difficult to write but has been done in good faith. I trust that the board will take these concerns seriously and act in the best interests of hospice staff.”

The email, dated March 4, ends with an acknowledgement request and to be kept updated over the “next steps.”

A copy of the email, sent to the Ayrshire Hospice Board of Trustees, was forwarded to Ayrshire Live on Wednesday, March 26. The whistleblower leads the email by claiming their original correspondence to the hospice board, said to be on March 4, had been “ignored”- 22 days after it was sent.

Sources at the hospice deny knowledge of the March 4 email and say they were only aware of it last week when we contacted them.

This latest blow comes shortly before the hospice returns to its base in Ayr’s Racecourse Road following a multi-million pound redevelopment at the site.

When we approached the OSCR over the contents of the whisteblower email an OSCR spokesperson said they had “very recently” received a “concern” of a “similar nature” and this would be “assessed” in line with their published policy.

The spokesperson continues: “We did receive a concern about the charity (Ayrshire Hospice) within the last five years and following inquiries into the charity’s governance concluded that there was no need for any regulatory action.

“If someone has a concern about a charity, they should report it to us using our concern form. Paid charity workers can submit a Whistleblowing form under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA), also known as ‘whistleblowing.’ Further guidance is available.

“OSCR cannot however deal with all matters that may be of concern to others. Our published policy provides clarification on the matters that we can and cannot deal with.”

UNISON, the largest trade union representing workers in the third sector, including charity workers and social care staff, have also been made aware of the whistleblower’s report, but they have yet to respond.

A spokesperson for Ayrshire Hospice said: “The email dated March 4 has not been received by any of the individuals listed as recipients. The first that Ayrshire Hospice knew of it was when it was brought to our attention by the Ayrshire Post.

“We have an established whistleblowing process managed by an independent third party and, after receiving the communication from the Ayrshire Post, the board is taking immediate steps to understand and address the contents of the email.”