Concerns about treatment of staff at Belfast Trust raised two years before cardiac unit scandal
One of the issues that was raised at the time was an alleged culture of fear where staff felt that would be punished for speaking out.
There were also reports of alleged bullying, controlling behaviour, as well as a data-driven environment that felt intrusive and without a clear purpose.
DUP MLA Diane Dodds said: "I do not understand how any organisation thinks it could actually develop and do really important work that it is supposed to do in this particular atmosphere."
The same expert who authored the 2023 briefing is now advising the Health Minister on culture and behaviour in the wake of the cardiac surgery unit scandal.
In a statement, the Belfast Trust said it has been working to "create a more open, just, and learning culture" since 2021.
It added: "This has included engaging with experts in psychological safety to help develop resources for managers and staff, and to improve culture and behaviours within teams.
"There is still work to be done, and numerous cultural programmes of work are underway.
"The Trust has begun a campaign to encourage and support staff to speak up, in response to the cardiac surgery review.
"This includes a commitment to support staff across the Trust to speak up through various means. Staff have also been signposted to the Trust whistleblowing process, which has been developed considerably over the last few years."
Meanwhile, the Department of Health said: "Peter McBride made a presentation in 2023 to the Belfast HSC Trust Board in relation to organisational culture. This reflected the responsibilities of the Trust Board for staff welfare.
"The department has been providing oversight and support to the Trust through its Support and Intervention Framework (SIF). This has included the formal commissioning – with the Public Health Agency – of the independent review of the cardiac surgical unit.
"The oversight of the Trust has been escalated to Level 5 – a step taken in only the most serious and exceptional cases.
"Reviewing whistleblowing processes will be an important part of the Level 5 intervention. The Minister has publicly made clear that he wants assurance that any HSC employee with concerns about bullying or other unacceptable behaviours is properly listened to and supported."
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