'Unacceptable behaviours' at hospital, report finds

The hospital report found issues including "banter crossing the line" and "unfair expectations relating to workload"

Culture changes are needed at a Kent hospital after "unacceptable behaviours" including bullying, discrimination and racism were flagged up by staff, a report says.

An independent review into culture at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, found reports of racism and cultural bias.

The report, published on Friday, found some staff pointing to a "lack of ethnic minority representation in senior leadership" and that some poor behaviours were "overlooked when it came from people in favour or seniority".

Jonathan Wade, the trust's interim chief executive, said he was "deeply sorry" to staff and was "determined to make changes".

'Crossing the line'

The independent report, which heard from 415 people at the trust, said 40 responses mentioned discrimination or racism.

It added: "Some teams were described as warm, supportive, and like 'a family,' while others experienced cliques, banter crossing the line, or unfair expectations relating to workload depending on who you were."

Individuals within the trust also reported receiving threats to their jobs or formal grievances after reporting discrimination, the report added.

Cultural issues including racism and bullying have been reported at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham

The report, commissioned by the trust last year, also highlighted a "small but noticeable number" of staff feeling that initiatives were tipping into "unfair treatment of others", adding discussions about fairness and identity were "becoming more charged".

Other issues raised included staff in lower pay bands feeling more heavily scrutinised, and some feeling that leadership at the trust had "little real understanding of frontline pressures".

'Deeply sorry'

However, many staff also spoke positively about the focus on patient care at the trust and efforts to improve by leadership.

The review added that other improvements were already being implemented, including the trial of body-worn cameras in some areas.

The culture review follows a Care Quality Commission inspection report in March which found staff "crying on the phone for help", as well as describing a "poor culture" and fear of reprisals for raising concerns.

Mr Wade said: "We commissioned an independent review to better understand the experiences of our staff, and help us make changes so that all staff feel safe, supported and able to thrive at work.

"While the report contains moments of pride and positivity, it also details unacceptable behaviours that some staff have endured and courageously shared as part of this review, for which we are deeply sorry.

"There is no place for bullying, discrimination, racism or any other toxic behaviour at Medway. We are determined to make changes that will create a safer, more inclusive and fairer place to work, for all our staff."

Naushabah Khan, Labour MP for Gillingham and Rainham, said she was disappointed by the findings.

"Nobody should go to work and have these experiences," she said.

"And I really hope that now that we have this report [and] that the leadership at the hospital have taken the decision to undertake this piece of work, that results are there and that things change."

The report recommended making it easier for staff to speak up in an effort to rebuild trust as well as introducing better systems to hold leaders accountable.