‘Divisive and toxic’ culture found at trust

A damning review of a trust’s senior leadership found “adversarial and mistrustful” relationships had fostered “a divisive and toxic culture”, and staff felt “fearful, anxious and unable to speak openly”, HSJ reports.

Authors of the unpublished review said the relationship between Mersey Care Foundation Trust’s board leaders was “widely regarded as dysfunctional, resulting in a pervasive culture of anxiety across the organisation”.  

They also warned a focus on internal politics was “seen to detract from patient care, operational performance, and staff wellbeing”. 

Read full article (paywalled).

Source: Health Service Journal, 27 July 2026