Watchdog calls for urgent action on hospital report

A HEALTH watchdog has called for "accountability" at Wales' biggest hospital after a damning report revealed crime, racism and an "unsafe" workplace.

- CONOR GOGARTY

Llais described the revelations about the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff as "extremely upsetting" and called for the issues to be addressed "urgently and honestly."

The 22-page comprehensive service review of the hospital's operating theatres 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 included:

■ "Inappropriate and racist remarks" were made by a senior leader who said a group of Indian nurses needed name badges because they "all looked the same";

■ Female staff felt unable to leave anything of value in the changing room because of the "regularity" of theft, including money, phones, computers and clothing going missing;

■ An "atmosphere of fear" had gone "a long way to destroying the bonds which allow people to work effectively together";

■ Staff felt there were "no consequences" after an illegal drug understood to be speed was allegedly found in the locker of one employee, who continues to work at the hospital; and