Snap inspection by health watchdog at DRI over "risks" to people

The Care Quality Commission says it has inspected the Armthorpe Road hopsital’s urgent and emergency services department in a two day visit this week.

It comes after it was revealed that a whistleblowing Doncaster Royal Infirmary doctor has been suspended for more than a year after raising concerns about bullying and harrassment – with other staff coming forward to talk of a “toxic” culture at the hospital.

And it comes just weeks after a damning report said children had been harmed by the state of NHS audiology services in Doncaster.

A CQC spokesperson, said: “Following concerns received about risks to people, CQC carried out an inspection of urgent and emergency services at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, part of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, on 8 and 9 December.

“The findings from that inspection will be published in a report on CQC’s website when it’s been through the usual quality assurance processes.

“CQC’s priority, at all times, is the health and wellbeing of people using health and social care services, and all information we receive informs our monitoring of services and future inspections.

“We’d encourage anyone who has concerns about a health and social care service to let us know.

"This can be done by emailing [email protected] or via our customer service centre on 03000 616161.”

The Care Quality Commission is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health and Social Care and was established in 2009 to regulate and inspect health and social care providers in England.

Karen Jessop, Chief Nurse at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: "Inspections are part and parcel of running a safe hospital, and we welcome all visits - unannounced or otherwise - from our regulators."

Last year, it was revealed there was a “culture of bullying” at DRI with a probe by the doctors’ union, the British Medical Association launched after fed-up staff lifted the lid on life within the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The BMA says that Dr Tim Noble, who has been excluded from his role as medical director since September 2024, had flagged up concerns about bullying and harassment and “ toxic culture” at the Trust.

Current and ex-colleagues as well as patients have come forward with further claims of problems at the Armthorpe Road hospital.

The Health Service Journal says the BMA claims Dr Noble’s exclusion is unlawful as he has been prevented from returning to work.

It reported: “It is thought Dr Noble’s case is due to proceed to a formal disciplinary hearing at the trust this month, but the details, including any allegations, are not known.

"The union, and some other doctors at the trust, told HSJ Dr Noble’s situation reflected a wider leadership and culture problem at DBTH.”

Another ex-member of staff posted: “4.5 years at the DRI, and honestly never know a place like it.

"I had to take a number of months off due to bullying and was the best decision I made to leave – I still get anxious walking through the door as a patient.”

Another former worker posted: “In the latter years of me working at DRI, the culture of bullying became the norm!

"If you spoke up because you were on the side of the staff and patients, you were then victimised.

"I spent 33 years there and worked with some marvellous people in that time. But I could name a few of the bullies - their day will come…karma always finds a way.”

“That toxic culture is longstanding, well done to this doctor for speaking out,” wrote another.

Shazia Karim, BMA head of region for Yorkshire and North East, told HSJ: “It is wholly unacceptable for this to happen to a senior doctor who has served the trust for almost 20 years and has raised concerns in the public interest about bullying and harassment. It reflects a toxic culture within the trust that must be addressed.

“We believe his case exemplifies a disturbing pattern: when concerns about poor behaviour are raised, the trust responds not with openness but with disciplinary threats and attempts to silence.”

Ms Karim said there were “concerns across the trust regarding bullying and the loss of experienced and capable senior staff”, and “a growing and widespread loss of confidence in the trust’s senior leadership”.

Dr Noble was appointed in 2020 as medical director and information released at the time said: “The Medical Director is an incredibly important position within the Trust.

Last year, an unnamed medic lifted the lid on life at the Armthorpe Road hospital, saying: “I, like many other staff, am desperately concerned about the future of our hospitals under the current leadership.

"Sadly, there is a culture of bullying at Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust.

"This has resulted in a high turnover of staff at a senior level, including executives, their deputies, managers and senior nurses.

"The treatment of some of these staff members has been appalling and has had a lasting effect on their mental health.”

The medic added: “There is a freedom to speak up process for staff to raise concerns about issues such as bullying, but many staff have found this ineffective.”

The whistle blower added: “Consultants are becoming increasingly frustrated. Many are thinking of leaving and some have already applied for positions elsewhere.

"We cannot afford to lose doctors. It will have a detrimental effect on patient care.”

An email from the British Medical Assocation which was reportedly sent to more than 400 staff and was seen by the Free Press said it was investigating claims of “bullying and harassment.”

It said: “Unfortunately, as is often seen within the NHS, those that speak up can find they are victimised for doing so.”

Last month, it was revealed that children in Doncaster have been harmed – one severely - because of the state of hearing services in the city.

Thousands of adults and children are currently waiting to be treated for hearing impairments in Doncaster, according to figures.

We have contacted Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Trust for comment.

And the backlog comes after parts of the audiology service were suspended at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) in October last year due to safety and quality concerns.

A report presented to the DBTH Trust last month revealed that a number of children in the city have been harmed by practices and delays within the audiology department.

Figures revealed that 11 children had received moderate harm, one was severely harmed and that 13 had received low harm.