A report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) downgraded Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust from “Outstanding” to “Requires Improvement” in 2024. The outcome of the grading was particularly linked to the finding of “inadequate” for senior leadership in the Trust (the CQC refer to this as “well-led”) and major concerns highlighted in the cardiothoracic department. The surgery report remains 'unrated' and received a separate report, an unprecedented situation for the CQC,

This is only the second Trust in the UK to see such a move from the CQC who felt obliged to suspend its rating from last November following their inspection.  The issues include, but are not limited to, bullying by those in managerial roles, using tactics such as weaponising patient safety processes and GMC referrals, sexual discrimination as well as victimisation of those who spoke up about concerns. 

The CQC are clear that patient safety has been compromised in the cardiothoracic department and serious incidents have been inadequately investigated. The extent of the problems in this department are illustrated by 59 staff coming forward as “whistleblowers” to share their concerns with the CQC. There is a long history of problems within the cardiothoracic department. Only some of this information is in the public domain. Surgical trainees were removed from the department following a Royal College of Surgeons review in 2021. Many had to uproot their families to go elsewhere to complete training. 3 staff members have committed suicide since 2021. There is concern from staff, these may have been related to the issues within the department.

Concerns have been raised to the Trust Executive and Board level for many years and seem to have been both ignored and inadequately addressed.

There is now a new CEO at Newcastle Hospitals and there is much hope that he will lead genuine culture change. There is, however, the need to investigate how a previously “Outstanding” institution ended up in such a terrible state. Those in previous leadership positions should be held to account. Several leaders have already left under a cloud, but some remain in post.  Staff, patients, and taxpayers deserve a full explanation.

Sign this petition to ask local government to hold trust management to account for their dire inadequacies which have cause suffering to staff and patients alike.