'Let down' | NHS bosses apologise to staff over 'toxic' workplace culture

NHS bosses in Scotland have apologised to staff after a report found evidence of a toxic workplace culture across its women’s services, including distrust of leadership, concerns over bullying, and a widespread fear of speaking up.

The independent review of operations at NHS Lothian, conducted over several weeks, was commissioned following a whistleblowing report which highlighted patient safety concerns, staff shortages, and dysfunctional working relationships, particularly in the obstetrics triage and assessment unit at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. 

In the latest findings, just 36% of staff surveyed said they felt safe reporting unethical behaviour without fear of reprisal, and many described feeling burnt out, undervalued, and unsupported.

‘Some behaviours have no place in our workplace’

Around half of the 1,195 staff working in women’s services responded to the survey conducted by external reviewers. The results were shared directly with teams in recent days, with the trust acknowledging that workplace culture had contributed to stress, sickness absence and general poor wellbeing.