A UNION leader has accused senior NHS managers of "promoting" a culture of bullying at East Yorkshire's hospitals.
Ray Gray of health union Unison said a report into bullying at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, published today, made for "very sad reading."
Almost 97 members of staff spoke to conciliation service ACAS after inspectors from the Care Quality Commission uncovered bullying during visits to both hospitals earlier this year.
The trust conducted its own survey and spoke to another 400 members of its 8000-strong workforce after the bullying came to light.
Ray Gray of Unison said he feared "many more" members of staff were still too frightened to speak out about the problem.
He said: "The report makes for very sad reading and shows how widespread bullying is across the trust.
"What's noticeable in this is that it covers all staff at all levels across the trust and is indicative of a culture that was promoted from the top down.
"Many people have suffered and in some cases left work because they could not cope with the bullying they were receiving at work.
"The report just confirms a problem we have been trying to resolve for the last two years but when the bullying comes from the top, it's difficult to stop.
"It's behaviour that is unacceptable in the workplace, and always will be, and those in high places within the trust that allowed this to happen should feel ashamed."
New chief executive Chris Long, who took over at the helm of the trust following the departure of Phil Morley weeks before the CQC report, addressed staff at a live link-up between both hospitals this morning.
Mr Gray said the arrival of the new chief executive was a "big step in the right direction" and welcomed his commitment to change the culture, with bullying, harassment and intimidation of staff no longer tolerated.
Mr Gray said: "It is not going to be easy to do with a culture that has become so well imbedded into the Trust but we are happy to work alongside Chris to try and put this right.
"There are a lot of good and exceptional staff within this trust who, given the chance, can make it a good place to work and hopefully together with the new chief exec, we can make that happen."
After meeting staff, Mr Long said the trust will now work with trade unions to address the problem and he will chair a new anti-bullying group.
Mr Long said: "Being the victim of such behaviours can be devastating for the individual but, clearly, this has a knock on effect for our patients too, as it's well known that staff who feel engaged and motivated and happy in their work deliver better care overall.
"The ACAS report makes uncomfortable reading at times but I am very much focused on making the issues it raises a thing of the past."
He said staff will be given advice on how to report bullying and "have confidence" action will be taken.
