'Morale among consultants and the wider workforce at an all-time low' – medics' full damning letter on UHW

SENIOR doctors say morale is at an “all-time low” in Wales’ flagship hospital plagued by sewage leaks and “risks to patient safety’.

- CONOR GOGARTY

‘Those are among the many fierce criticisms in a stunning letter - which we can now reveal in full - sent to bosses of Cardiff and Vale university health board by its senior consultant body.

Yesterday, we reported that consultants at the health board, which is responsible for Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales, had written a letter detailing serious problems with how the body is being run.

Now we can reveal the full letter, which contains devastating critiques on eight key issues.

“Morale among consultants and the wider workforce is at an all-time low,’ it reads.

“High attrition rates, combined with a perception of inaction on staff feedback and wellbeing, are leading to burnout, recruitment challenges, and risks to patient safety.”

We understand the letter - which stops short of expressing no confidence - was sent after an extraordinary meeting of nearly 300 consultants who expressed “deep anxiety” about the state of patient care and agreed “urgent” action is needed.

The doctors describe a “firefighting” culture focused on “short-term fixes” and a “proliferation of middle management, frequent circular meetings without outcomes, and a lack of visible long-term strategic direction”.

“Decision-making appears concentrated among a very small group of senior individuals, which has led to frustration, disengagement, and a perception of exclusion among clinical and even senior leadership teams,’ it goes on.

‘There are “persistent” issues with sewage leaks, water damage, and poor cleanliness despite repeated reports from senior clinical staff, according to the letter, which claims years of underfunding have “compounded” the problem and that there is no clear plan to fix it.

‘The consultants say it has been “particularly alarming” to hear reports that plans for a replacement hospital have shelved “without any communication to clinicians”.