Staff say midwife was 'challenging' to work with

Lara Basini-Millar is suing North Bristol NHS Trust

A midwife who claims she was unfairly dismissed from her job after being bullied by her colleagues was "very challenging" to work with, a tribunal has heard.

Lara Basini-Millar worked as a midwife at Southmead Hospital in Bristol three years ago, but left the job after she claimed she had been the subject of a "witch hunt" by her colleagues.

The mother-of-two is suing North Bristol NHS Trust over claims that her employers breached her contract over issues relating to mutual trust and confidence.

Ms Basini-Millar said she felt like "a square peg in a round hole" and claimed she was bullied out of her job by "jealous" colleagues.

Before the allegations were raised, Ms Basini-Millar had appeared on the Channel 4 TV Show One Born Every Minute in 2014.

She also started a TikTok page, sharing videos with practical advice about pregnancy, labour and the importance of speaking up if something is not right.

Her account has more than 160,000 followers.

Although some of her colleagues raised concerns over the professionalism and appropriateness of her online content, many of them took issue with her for creating a "difficult" atmosphere in the workplace, the hearing was told.

Multiple complaints were raised by colleagues over her management and leadership, which left some junior colleagues upset.

Ms Basini-Millar held a Band Seven Professional Midwifery Advocate at Southmead Hospital

Various staff submitted evidence to the tribunal.

One junior midwife said: "When Lara is in charge, the unit feels unsafe and chaotic.

"She relies on senior staff and does not support junior staff.

"She believes that being a band seven means she should automatically be right about situations and should not take other's views on board."

Another colleague said Ms Basini-Millar was "very challenging" to work with and her behaviour at work left some junior midwives "so upset" they felt like leaving their jobs.

A third colleague said Ms Basini-Millar had a "strong personality" and problems with her at work were "historic".

However, senior colleagues defended her and refused to challenge her actions, the tribunal heard.

Colleagues 'undermined'

Andrew Wyeth, who represented the health trust at the hearing, said there was a "common theme" in the allegations against Ms Basini-Millar.

Addressing her, he said: "You were unjustifiable in undermining colleagues in the way you behaved on the ward and you were doing it in front of patients."

However, he said the trust took a "light touch" in dealing with the complaints against her.

"If they had a thirst for it, they could have put you through a performance review," he said.

"Even though there was evidence against you - emails saying staff were scared to work with you - they are taking a light touch in their approach to you.

"Did they invite you to disciplinary action or a performance management process? No they didn't.

"There was no campaign against you," he added.

The tribunal, which is expected to last five days, continues.