15.01.18
‘Behavioural and cultural practices’ at Wirral trust to be investigated by NHSI
NHS Improvement (NHSI) has appointed an investigator to complete an independent review of Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS FT following allegations about cultural problems.
Carole Taylor Brown will oversee the investigation, which includes looking at the handling of a recent disciplinary case involving allegations of sexual misconduct.
Specifically, the review will look at concerns raised by members of staff in late 2017 over cultural, behavioural and governance issues and consider the overseers response.
Ian Dalton, CEO of NHSI, commented: “The allegations made to NHS Improvement regarding some of the behavioural and cultural practices at Wirral Teaching University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are very serious.
“Therefore, we have taken urgent action to commission an independent investigation, which will also examine our own handling of the allegations.”
He went on to say that he hoped the completion of such an investigation would reassure staff and patients that their concerns were being dealt with seriously.
Brown, who will conduct the investigation, has been involved in other reviews of the same kind against other organisations, and has previously served as chief executive of both NHS Suffolk and NHS Suffolk East PTC.
David Jago, acting chief executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital said: “We welcome this independent investigation and fully support NHS Improvement for making this decision.
“As a trust we will do everything we can to assist in the true principles of openness and transparency.
“Our senior team will be fully supporting colleagues throughout this process. We will continue to offer our reassurance to staff and patients that as a trust we will learn lessons to enable us to make positive changes for the future and ensure safe, high quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do.”
The announcement is one of Dalton’s first major decisions since taking charge at NHSI in December 2017.
He took over the role from Jim Mackey, who returned to his position as chief executive at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Top image: George-Standen
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