A health board at the centre of a bullying scandal has launched a staff questionnaire to assess the extent of the problem.

NHS Highland says the independent culture review is aiming to uncover the extent of bullying, harassment and inappropriate behaviour in Argyll and Bute.

Staff past and present are being encouraged to fill in an anonymous online questionnaire, which will be open for six weeks, to gain an ‘accurate picture of workplace culture’.

The results will collated by market research firm Progressive Partnership and it is expected a final report will be published in April.

Last May an inquiry found hundreds of staff members at NHS Highland were victims of bullying.

Report author Sir John Sturrock called for a separate investigation in Argyll and Bute because of its isolation from the rest of the north Highland area.

Fiona Hogg, director of human resources for NHS Highland, said: “The questionnaire has been designed around the needs of Argyll and Bute, as per the suggestion in the Sturrock report, and is open to NHS Highland colleagues, both past and present, from the Argyll and Bute area.

“The findings will help NHS Highland to ensure it takes the right actions to encourage reporting and address the causes of bullying and inappropriate behaviour.

Joanna Macdonald, Chief Officer for Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership added: “This is an opportunity for all NHS Highland colleagues in Argyll and Bute, both past and present, to have their say and I would encourage them to fill out the questionnaire.”