NUH warning no surprise to union leader

A UNION is “disappointed but not surprised” that inspectors have warned Nottingham’s hospital bosses to improve.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, and its leadership in July.

The CQC now says management needs to “take action to improve corporate and clinical governance and oversight of risk”.

Unison, which represents trust staff, has been involved in a number of collective grievances – including a pay dispute after the treatment centre was taken over by the NHS, as well as claims nurses were told their “lives would be made hell” if they complained about conditions on Covid wards.

The union threatened strike action over plans to “stretch staff thin” at the City Hospital’s urology department by moving them to the QMC.

That comes on top of babies’ deaths in the maternity unit where, in the last decade, resulting in 201 negligence claims and more than £91m being paid in damages.

NUH’S maternity services have now been rated “inadequate”.

Dave Ratchford, Unison regional officer, said: “It is disappointing but not surprising. It is part of a culture that we have seen emerge that is not being addressed. A general bullying culture. We are hopeful that this leads to adequate improvement. Bullying at NUH is systemic and that needs to be addressed.”

The union was still awaiting results of a bullying investigation, he sadi.

Patients also shared their views. Robert Wills, 60, unemployed, from Nottingham, said: “I was here three years ago on the heart attack ward. I couldn’t chill out and relax even after I had a heart attack. They do need to improve quite a bit overall. But I’m not worried about them getting a warning as long as they take it in the right way and fix the problems.”

Kate Beaumont, a 53-year-old accountant from Beeston, added: “I can’t fault them, They were very busy but the staff were very nice. The amount of people coming into A&E is unbelievable and you get excellent care.”

Rupert Egginton, deputy chief executive and chief financial officer at NUH, said: “We accept the CQC’S comments.

“Work is already under way to learn from the findings and make improvements so that the organisation is led as effectively as possible.”