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Bullying and toxic environment at Birmingham hospital trust - report Bullying and toxic culture at NHS trust, report finds
(37 minutes later)
Vaish Kumar died in June 2022 Junior doctor Vaish Kumar died in June 2022
A review has found repeated reports of a bullying and toxic environment at one of England's largest NHS trusts. Repeated cases of bullying and a toxic environment at one of England's largest NHS trusts has been found in a review.
The Bewick report was ordered after the BBC heard from staff at University Hospitals Birmingham saying a climate of fear had put patients at risk. The Bewick report was ordered after a BBC Newsnight investigation heard from staff at University Hospitals Birmingham saying a climate of fear had put patients at risk.
Its first phase raises concerns around clinical safety, management culture and a reluctance to accept criticism. It cites anger senior staff did not attend the funeral of Vaish Kumar, a junior doctor who killed herself.
The West Midlands NHS Trust said it fully accepted the report's recommendations. The West Midlands trust said it fully accepted the report's recommendations.
The trust is among the largest in the UK and is responsible for Queen Elizabeth (QE), Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals. The trust is responsible for Queen Elizabeth (QE), Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals.
A first phase of the rapid review, headed by independent consultants IQ4U and led by Prof Mike Bewick, was published at 11:30 BST on Tuesday. A first phase of the rapid review, headed by independent consultants IQ4U and led by Prof Mike Bewick, was published at 11:30 BST.
Newsnight's investigation into University Hospitals Birmingham, which runs Queen Elizabeth Hospital, was broadcast in December. It is one of three major reviews into the trust, commissioned following a series of reports by Newsnight and BBC West Midlands.
It highlights three areas of concern: Some clinical safety concerns at the trust, which runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, were found by the review
Prof Bewick's report examines the case of Dr Kumar, 35, a junior doctor at the QE Hospital who left a suicide note blaming her death entirely on the place where she worked.
Dr Ravi Kumar, her father, said he strongly believed the QE had "destroyed" his daughter.
The report says while the funeral service was live-streamed for staff, there was "disappointment and anger" it was not attended by senior colleagues.
It said "many felt that the trust had kept itself at arm's length from the Kumar family".
The report also says a senior member of staff was not aware of Dr Kumar's death and emailed her personally 26 days later to ask why she was removed from her post and if she was still being paid.
While steps have been taken to reach out to her family and "develop learning going forward", the report adds: "The response to an event like this can only partly be met by updated guidelines and policies... but more significantly [the trust] needs a fundamental shift in the way an organisation demonstrably cares about its staff as people."
University Hospitals Birmingham's chief executive said concerns had already started to be addressed
Prof Bewick's report highlights three main concerns:
Several areas where clinical safety concerns exist and levels of staffing, particularly in nursing at Good Hope HospitalSeveral areas where clinical safety concerns exist and levels of staffing, particularly in nursing at Good Hope Hospital
Clear evidence cultural problems at the trust persist and require serious attention. Concerns cover management organisation, leadership and confidenceClear evidence cultural problems at the trust persist and require serious attention. Concerns cover management organisation, leadership and confidence
An organisation that is culturally very reluctant to accept criticismAn organisation that is culturally very reluctant to accept criticism
It also examines the case of Vaish Kumar, 35, a junior doctor at the QE Hospital who left a suicide note blaming her death entirely on the hospital where she worked. It makes four overall recommendations to improve clinical safety, governance and leadership, staff welfare and culture.
Dr Ravi Kumar, her father, said he strongly believed the QE had "destroyed" his daughter. Jonathan Brotherton, the trust's current chief executive, said he was pleased Prof Bewick's overall view was "that the trust is a safe place to receive care".
The report said while steps had been taken to reach out to her family and "develop learning going forward" it added: "The response to an event like this can only partly be met by updated guidelines and policies... but more significantly [the trust] needs a fundamental shift in the way an organisation demonstrably cares about its staff as people." "We fully accept his recommendations and welcome the additional assurance that has been asked for through further independent oversight," he said.
"There are a number of significant concerns that we need to, and have started to, address; we will continue to learn from the past, as we move forward.
"We want to develop a positive, inclusive work environment where people want to come to work, in a place that they are proud to work in, to do their very best for our patients.
"While we will not be able to fix things as quickly as I would like, we do need to do it as quickly as possible, for the benefit of patients and staff. I am committed to ensuring this happens."
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