Ex-Stafford Hospital chief nurse 'intimidated staff'

A former chief nurse at Stafford Hospital was a "bully" who intimidated staff, a disciplinary hearing was told.

It heard that Janice Harry "wholly failed" in her management responsibilities in areas such as ensuring adequate staffing levels.

She shouted at staff who raised problems with her, reducing some to tears, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) heard.

Ms Harry denies charges, including misconduct, from 1998 to 2006.

'Unpleasant atmosphere'

She denies a series of charges related to alleged failures to ensure adequate nursing staffing levels and appropriate standards of record keeping, hygiene and cleanliness, administration of medication, provision of nutrition and fluids and patient dignity.

She also denies accusations of bullying staff who raised problems with her - allegedly creating a "stressful and unpleasant" atmosphere which discouraged staff from reporting problems, the NMC heard.

William Davis, for the NMC, stated it was "not said that she was directly and personally responsible for the numerous examples of poor care" delivered by staff at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust.

He added: "Rather, the NMC say that she wholly failed in her management responsibilities to ensure, amongst other issues, appropriate staffing levels and the correct skill mix.

"The NMC also say the registrant took an aggressive and intimidating management style which created a stressful and unpleasant atmosphere for staff.

"It was in this climate, the NMC say, that the problems at Mid Staffordshire became established."

The hearing continues.