West Midlands NHS Trust under the spotlight for bullying

Ordered after a BBC Newsnight investigation discovered that staff at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) felt “a climate of fear”, the Bewick report exposes repeated cases of bullying and “toxic leadership”.

The Birmingham NHS Trust manages Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope, and Solihull hospitals.

Being the first of three major reviews, this report was headed by independent consultants and led by Professor Mike Bewick. It follows accounts of concerns from current and former staff that were investigated and aired by BBC Newsnight.

Professor Bewick, a former NHS England Deputy Medical Director summarised his findings for the BBC: “Our overall view is that the Trust is a safe place to receive care.

We believe there is much more work to be done in the next phases of review to assist the trust on its journey to recovery

– Professor Bewick

“But any continuance of a culture that is corrosively affecting morale and in particular threatens long-term staff recruitment and retention will put at risk the care of patients across the organisation – particularly in the current nationwide NHS staffing crisis.”

“Because these concerns cover such a wide range of issues, from management organisation through to leadership and confidence, we believe there is much more work to be done in the next phases of review to assist the trust on its journey to recovery.”

The Chief Executive of NHS Birmingham and Solihull said that the report, although not finding issues surrounding patient safety, did point out substantial problems with leadership, governance, and culture.

A tragic backdrop in the wake of this review was the aftermath of the death of Vaishnavi Kumar, a junior doctor who killed herself in 2022.

Working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kumar left a note before committing suicide, blaming it entirely on the hospital’s workplace environment. Her letter ended with: “I am sorry mum, I can blame the whole thing on the QEH”.

Dr Ravi Kumar, her father, spoke out: “[The trust] should come out openly and accept this has happened, they should find out who the people are who are responsible for this and take appropriate action.

“Otherwise, people will not have confidence in any of these inquiry panels and committees if there is no visible action.”

Another issue leading to the review was whistle blowers within the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust claiming that they were also ‘punished by management for raising safety concerns’.

A shortage of nurses and lack of communication were also among the concerning complaints to BBC Newsnight.

The Bewick report has highlighted several points for improvement for the NHS trust which feature a review of staffing levels, facilities to support the mental health of doctors in training and awareness training on identifying ‘bullying, coercion, intimidation and misogyny.’

We must now focus on continuing to provide the best possible patient care, building a values-led culture and supporting our incredible colleagues

– Jonathan Brotherton

Chief Executive at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Jonathan Brotherton, stated: “We fully accept his recommendations and welcome the additional assurance that has been asked for through further independent oversight.

“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.

“We must now focus on continuing to provide the best possible patient care, building a values-led culture and supporting our incredible colleagues.”

Publication of this report coincided with the announcement of retirement for Brotherton’s predecessor, Professor David Rosser.

According to the Bewick Report, a culture that lacked ‘kindness and empathy’ was evolved under his ‘dictatorial and overzealous’ management style.

A spokesperson for the NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “Dave Rosser has taken the decision to retire and will therefore no longer be continuing in his role as director for digital health and care.”