The Upper Bann MLA raised an Urgent Question to the Minister in the Assembly today after an external review found an intolerable working environment and a pattern of consistently poor behaviour within the unit.
Speaking afterwards the DUP MLA said, “The litany of issues highlighted within it will shock everyone. It highlighted a culture of bullying and poor behaviour. An operation was cancelled because of interpersonal differences between personnel within the theatre. There were also four consultants working from home who cited “safety and wellbeing” as the reasons they could not work within the hospital site. The conclusion of the report however was the most damning stating that the “cultural issues in this unit represent a significant risk to public safety”.
This was a culture that was little short of toxic and it is one that was exacerbated by management. Whilst the Minister was right to state that the unit has been deemed safe, it is also right to state that the report also concluded “there are areas where patients are placed at risk of harm, or where harm has occurred, as a result of tensions, poor behaviour and sever reluctance amongst staff to raise concerns”.This was a culture that was little short of toxic and it is one that was exacerbated by management.
The behaviour uncovered by this report is beyond belief, but it happened over a protracted period. The confidence of both staff and the public in the Trust will have been seriously damaged by this latest issue within a Trust that appears to be rarely out of the headlines. There needs to be demonstrable action taken to restore that trust in one of the most vital services provided to patients from right across Northern Ireland.”