Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital: Ex-surgeon speaks out about ‘toxic’ work environment

Earlier this year the Belfast Trust came under fire after a leaked inspection report revealed that surgeons threw instruments and bullied nurses.

It also emerged that patients were harmed and put at risk as a result of cultural tensions, bullying and “poor behaviour” in the only cardiac surgery unit in Northern Ireland.

Around 70 staff spoke anonymously to those carrying out the review and reported tensions between different groups of staff.

It was reported that instruments had been thrown during surgery, and there had been incidents of verbal abuse and nurses had felt bullied.

The unit is a regional service with around 1,000 operations carried out each year.

It has now been reported that the Belfast Trust has to date paid out millions of pounds of public money in legal cases to staff who allege damage after whistleblowing.

“People in the hospital are scared; they’re scared of what their colleagues are going to say”

In a statement to the BBC the Belfast Trust said it had paid £1.3m in settlement sums to former employees.

On Thursday morning, Dr Kieran McManus, who spent almost 40 years with the Belfast Trust, shared his experience on BBC’s Good Morning Ulster.

He is the first medical consultant to speak publicly about the alleged bullying and harassment.

“We knew they were being investigated, we knew that our colleagues were being investigated and we were wondering what eyes were on us,” he said.

“You start to feel you are walking on eggshells the whole time; you’re afraid to ask, you’re afraid to make eye contact, you’re afraid who you are going to meet in the corridor that is going to make something awkward for you.”

He added that people in a variety of roles were feeling “scared”.

“People in the hospital are scared; they’re scared of what their colleagues are going to say,” he said.

“Nurses are scared the doctors are going to blame them, the trainees are scared if the consultant is going to blame them if this operation went wrong.

“The really worrying thing is that you are working under a degree of pressure and you become risk-averse; you don’t want anything to go wrong you don’t want anything to be seen to go wrong.

“It’s sad for me to see the good old Royal that I came halfway across the world to work at and that I really admired it is sad for me to see it riven apart by a culture that can just be called toxic.”

In a statement to the BBC the Department of Health said it was never desirable for public money to be used for legal or financial settlements.

News Catch Up – Tuesday 2nd September

“The department recognises the vital importance of whistleblowing in safeguarding patient safety and promoting transparency,” the department added.

” It continues to support trusts in strengthening their whistleblowing procedures and fostering a culture where staff feel safe and supported when raising concerns.”

The department said there was an ongoing review aimed at tackling poor culture and behaviours within the Belfast Trust.

DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA has said the wellbeing of staff within the health service must be a “priority” following reports of staff raising issues around a toxic working culture within Belfast Trust.

Ms Dodds said: “These revelations are deeply concerning and will resonate with many staff who have raised issues about a toxic working culture within the Belfast Trust.

“At a time when we are facing an unprecedented waiting list crisis, we cannot afford to lose dedicated and experienced healthcare professionals because of reported bullying, harassment, or a culture of secrecy.

“Every member of staff deserves to work in an environment where they feel valued, supported, and respected. For those who have served our health system diligently and professionally, this is a deeply grievous situation.

“At the Health Committee on 12th June, I specifically raised concerns about reports of staff being victimised and was told that a review would be instigated.

“The Trust must now be clear: who carried out this review, what were its findings, and what actions will follow as a result? Staff and the public alike deserve full transparency, and it is simply not good enough for these serious issues to be brushed aside or hidden behind closed doors.

“With BBC reporting that millions of pounds of public money have reportedly been paid out in legal cases, there must be accountability and decisive action from the Belfast Trust to ensure lessons are learned and this culture is changed. Staff are the backbone of our health service, and protecting their wellbeing is essential if we are to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.

“I will continue to press the Trust and the Department for clear answers and urgent action.”