Half of staff at ‘toxic’ Birmingham trust felt bullied

More than half of staff at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, that has been under fire for its “toxic culture”, have said they felt bullied or harassed.

The findings come from an independent review commissioned by the trust, who have since apologised for “unacceptable behaviours”, and have added that they were committed to changing the working environment.

Of 2,884 respondents to a staff survey, 53 per cent said they had felt harassed or bullied at work, while only 16 per cent believed their concerns would be taken up by their employer.  The review team found that many said they were fearful to complain “as they believed it could worsen the situation”.

Richard Burden, chair of Healthwatch in Birmingham and Solihull, which represents patients, said it was imperative to address “dangerous practices” and bring individuals responsible to account.

He went on to say “The culture of fear, coupled with the perception of a board and management that is, at best, disinterested and, at worst, actively hostile to staff raising concerns, clearly has serious ramifications for patient safety.”

Reviewers analysed documents and spoke to around 4,000 staff members in various departments over four months, including non-medical, board and senior leader team members.  The report highlighted how unacceptable behaviours and working practices had developed, leading to staff feeling isolated, discriminated against, unsafe and undervalued.

The report also found that tolerance of poor behaviour had led to staff becoming desensitised, resulting in many feeling pushed beyond their capacity and a significant impact on mental health.

Chadwick Lawrence’s Legal 500 recommended West Yorkshire medical negligence solicitors, have over 20 years of experience and specialist expertise in medical negligence investigations and claims, supporting injured clients and their families through the legal process and helping them obtain answers, justice and compensation after life-changing events.  We have offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and Morley and represent clients locally and nationally.

If you or a relative have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence lawyers on the freephone number below or e-mail us.

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

Freephone : 0800 304 7382