Climate of fear among Birmingham doctors is putting patients at risk, claim ... trends now
Doctors who raise concerns about patient safety at one of England's largest hospital trusts are punished by their bosses, NHS staff have reportedly warned.
Former and current medics at University Hospitals Birmingham, where 20,000 staff treat 2million-plus patients each year, told the BBC the climate of fear could lead to patient harm.
One insider is said to have described the internal hierarchy of the trust as being 'a bit like the mafia'.
Concerns flagged include a dangerous shortage of nurses and a lack of communication, which may have led to some patients dying, according to the investigation.
Former and current medics at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, where 20,000 staff treat more than 2million patients every year, have told of a climate of fear that could lead to patient harm. Pictured: Queen Elizabeth Hospital
A lack of communication and a nurse shortage may have led to some patients dying, according to insiders, quoted in the media, who say the trust is 'a bit like the mafia'. Pictured: Good Hope Hospital
UHB, which manages four hospitals, has disputed the claims.
It stated it takes patient safety 'very seriously' and a high rate of staff report safety incidents to ensure learning and accountability.
The accusations echo the findings from a 2017 investigation that probed the deaths of 20 patients in Queen Elizabeth Hospital's department haematology — which treats blood and bone marrow disorders.
Dr Emmanouil Nikolousis, a haematologist who led the review, warned that a lack of communication between doctors had led to some dying without
