‘Cover-up’ fears over trust’s toxic culture

An independent group overseeing the reviews into a toxic culture at University Hospitals Birmingham have raised concerns over a possible ‘cover up’ of key reports.

The cross-party reference group, which includes MPs, council and Healthwatch officials, has demanded transparency over key decisions, and says there are continuing concerns over the trust’s leadership. It has been scrutinising a review into patient safety concerns at UHB, which found the trust’s executive had become “overzealous and coercive”.

On the day this review was released, it was revealed that UHB’s former CEO David Rosser had decided to retire.

The group, chaired by MP Preet Gill, said in a statement: “The allegations made by whistleblowers were not isolated incidents, but the result of a deep-seated and toxic culture. While Dr Rosser has recently announced his retirement, one member of staff, albeit a chief executive, cannot be responsible for this alone. Feedback from staff has made it clear that there must be collective accountability by the senior leadership for the distressing culture afflicting the trust."

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Source: HSJ, 5 April 2023