Patient safety concerns over Birmingham hospital ‘toxic culture’ probe

An investigation by NHS England into claims of a toxic culture at a hospital trust has been described as undermining trust and lacking transparency.

The Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman also said there were “very serious “ patient safety issues at University Hospitals Birmingham.

The trust said it had told the ombudsman it took concerns seriously, adding that it was “committing to working with the ombudsman to ensure all families have a clear understanding of any issues relating to their loved one’s care”.

UHB has been in the spotlight for a number of months after three probes were started following allegations doctors there were threatened for raising safety concerns.  The trust denies this and says its “first priority is patient safety”.

The ombudsman, however, said he was sceptical about the reviews’ transparency and independence.

His findings of “very serious” patient safety issues at UHB is based on the trust’s response to the ombudsman’s recommendations and findings, including a case of an avoidable patient death.

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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