MP urges NHS trust to expand bullying probe

An investigation into claims of bullying, harassment and discrimination at the general surgery department at a Sussex hospital trust should be expanded trust-wide, the local MP says.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) runs Eastbourne District General Hospital and Conquest Hospital in St Leonards.

As reported last month by the BBC, this investigation found that a "significant proportion" of staff had reported experiencing bullying, harassment or discrimination within the previous year.

Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde has now called on ESHT to "urgently expand its review". The trust is yet to respond to requests for a comment.

In a letter to the trust's chief executive, Jayne Black, Babarinde expressed concern that the review "may be too narrow" given that a number of serving and former members of staff had since contacted his office.

He wrote: "Given the number of individuals who have now come forward, I believe it is important that these concerns are properly considered."

Babarinde has asked ESHT to consider "reopening the investigation and broadening its scope" beyond the general surgery department, and to outline a confidential process for staff to come forward, and to clarify the support available to those that do.

The independent review of the general surgery department was commissioned in January, after staff raised concerns about departmental culture, behaviour and the actions of specific clinicians.

A summary of this review found that women, non-consultant medical staff and ethnic minority staff were among those experiencing the greatest harm.

Chief medical officer, Dr Simon Merritt, said the trust had since "taken clear action", including "embedding dedicated support to attend meetings, provide guidance and offer confidential advice to colleagues within the team".

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.