‘Bullying culture’ at Shropshire baby deaths trust

The Care Quality Commission have rated Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital Trust inadequate following a recent inspection and it has been revealed that staff at the trust say there is a “culture of bullying and harassment”, and maternity and emergency services deemed unsafe.

The trust is undergoing investigations into alleged failings in maternity care, with over 200 families voicing concerns about care at the trust.

As well as the claims of bullying and harassment, inspectors say they “found a culture of defensiveness from the executive team”.

Staff felt they were not being listened to and were reluctant to raise issues or concerns, and it was also reported that there were high levels of stress and volume of work, and there was low morale amongst staff.

The latest report said that inspectors were “particularly concerned” about the trust’s maternity services and emergency department, and found that there has been a shortage of midwives due to maternity leave and sickness.

The trust have responded saying that some of the concerns raised in the report were being addressed through improved reporting by its maternity services and continuing recruitment.

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record. The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence. He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims. Tony also acts as the Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled. Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk. Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win-no fee solicitors for free legal advice on the freephone number below.

Freephone: 0800 304 7382