The board, beyond a tepid statement about meeting health and safety standards, replied through its communications team that while it did not comment on "unsubstantiated hearsay", issues bought to the attention of management were "always investigated".
On one occasion it did take action, upholding last October a bullying complaint by a forensic technician against a female employee. At the conclusion of the inquiry, the board suggested the woman who laid the complaint could look to work in a different department. She quit, upset at the outcome, and returned to the UK, saying that ADHB "has got rid of the victims and not the problem".
Somewhat belatedly it would seem that after the embarrassing publicity the board has changed tack. Chief executive Ailsa Claire acknowledged a recent staff survey had revealed that employees experienced bullying. She pledged not to "shy away" from the issue, and invited staff to raise it directly with her.
For public reassurance, the board needs to make public the outcome of the bullying inquiries.
It is time the health board healed itself.