Systemic failings and racism found at Wales' largest hospital in review

A damning report into the operating theatres at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, has highlighted a catalogue of failings

- CONOR GOGARTY and ROD MINCHIN

A DAMNING report into operating theatres at Wales’ biggest hospital has revealed crime, racism and an “unsafe” workplace.

The 22-page comprehensive service review of the theatres at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, reveals staff felt serious problems were not dealt with by leaders, including a series of thefts and the discovery of illegal drugs in a staff locker.

The findings include:

■ “Inappropriate and racist remarks” were made by a senior leader about a group of Indian nurses”;

lH Some anaesthetic practitioners were not always in theatre for the whole operation, instead watching Netflix in the anaesthetic room;

@ Female staff felt unable to leave valuables in the changing room because of the “regularity” of theft;

BH An “atmosphere of fear” had gone “a long way to destroying the bonds which allow people to work effectively together”; and

MH One manager was accused of “actively sabotaging” a colleague in a newly created role.

Following yesterday's publication of the report, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said it was a “difficult read” and apologised to those affected. It vowed to implement the long list of recommendations.

@ ‘Outright criminal behaviour’

The review was commissioned last summer after a staff survey revealed serious concerns over a toxic culture. It gave “a clear perception of a disengaged workforce with low morale’, according to the report.

The reviewers who wrote the report spoke with some 113 theatre staff and 11 senior leaders.

According to the report, more colleagues seemed willing to participate after an article on the Western Mail's sister website WalesOnline revealed concerns over the theatres’ culture.

The review is separate to another investigation we recently revealed, which involves unauthorised members of the public being allowed in to watch surgery on unaware patients.

We understand that probe is still ongoing.