By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
MPs have met Nottingham hospital bosses to discuss an inspection report which saw the trust rated as ‘requires improvement’.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors visited the Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital earlier this year where they found a “culture of bullying” and inadequate leadership at the organisation.
The report described how some bullying cases at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust (NUH) were found to be “directly attributable to racial discrimination”.
Nottingham MPs were invited to meet NUH bosses on Friday, September 24 to discuss how the organisation will improve. Staff shortages and delays in some treatments were also discussed.
Previously, some MPs described the report as “shocking”, “deeply saddening” and “troubling”.
The trust says it is “working hard” to make changes.
Darren Henry, Conservative MP for Broxtowe, said: “On Friday I attended a meeting with Nottinghamshire University Hospital Trust, alongside other Members of Parliament, to discuss the recent CQC report.
“I was incredibly concerned to read the recent report and will monitor closely the steps put in place by Nottinghamshire University Hospitals Trust to ensure that all those who receive any sort of treatment by the Trust do so to the highest standard.”
The CQC has handed the trust 28 points to improve on, including addressing the bullying “across the organisation”, and addressing “the disconnect between the board and the wider organisation”.
Maternity services at the trust are already being investigated by the CQC following baby deaths and injuries.
“It is clear that the staff in our city’s hospitals are working hard to provide high standards of care but are not always receiving the support they need from the Trust’s senior management. This is completely unacceptable.
“The findings in this report must now lead to urgent action, to ensure that my constituents can be confident that they and their families will receive safe and effective care in our hospitals. It is equally vital that hospital staff are properly supported to deliver that care.”
Dr Neil Pease, Chief People Officer and Board Member at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “No-one in our organisation should experience bullying or discrimination of any sort and that is something we are committed to ending.
“Our BME Network and BME Shared Governance Council have together created a Trust-wide strategy which is supported by the Board and has led to three newly funded posts to drive and deliver on improving the representation and experience of BME colleagues.”
