Staff and patients rally behind whistleblowing DRI doctor who raised bullying concerns

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.

Now current and ex-colleagues as well as patients have come forward to offer their support, with further claims of problems at the Armthorpe Road hospital.

One said: “Experienced it myself. Brushing under the carpet is the normal way to deal with it at DRI.”

Another said: “It says a lot when a top consultant is bullied and treated this way. So glad I left, was bullied twice by sisters and a matron. Shame on you DRI.”

Another wrote: “Dr Noble is one of the most genuine caring doctors you could meet. An absolute asset to the trust and Doncaster patients. Someone who cares about the patient and not just the numbers. Hats off to him for being brave enough to talk about such a difficult subject.”

While another added: “Well done Tim! You have done the right thing despite how difficult it just have been and how much courage and strength it took. The sad thing is a great clinician and manager has been treated like this. The patients have lost out on a great consultant.”

The Health Service Journal says the BMA claims his 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 of his patients shared: “An absolute gentleman, well done for standing up to the bully brigade. You have your patients’ support.”

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.”

Another added: “I witnessed numerous instances of abuse of power, victimisation and unjust retribution against anyone who, like Dr Noble, were brave enough to raise their head above the parapet and speak out.”

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

“Dr Noble is a thoroughly decent man, exemplary both as a doctor and a person. He was well within his rights to raise this issue. I speak from personal experience when I say that - regardless of what the Trust says - there has been an insidious bullying culture for many years, always denied, but ever present,” posted another.

And another shared: “Bullying in the NHS has been the ‘elephant in the room’ for decades .. there was no choice but to try to survive it the toxicity is so deeply embedded it will never change.”

Another commented: “That place is a wasps’ nest. The toxicity is unreal at all levels. Some clinicians doing their best and saving lives, while others doing their best to trip them up and shove them out.

"Certainly pushed me to leave the place and the speciality I loved.

“Feel for Dr Noble and those in similar shoes to his. Really hope he gets to return to his role.”

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.

"As an executive director, the post-holder is responsible for the successful delivery of high quality patient care and treatment, and provides leadership to the organisation’s 600 medical, dental and surgical colleagues.”

Previously one of the Trust’s Deputy Medical Directors, he also oversaw the hospitals’ respiratory medicine service, as well as undertaking two Clinical Director posts from 2010 through to 2017.

He first started his career at DBTH in 2006 as a Consultant Respiratory Physician.

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.”

"We have a collective responsibility here to speak up and have a unified approach to eradicating bullying and harassment of this nature.”

A spokesperson at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals said: “As a Trust, we take any allegations of bullying or inappropriate behaviour extremely seriously. It would not be appropriate to comment on any specific individual cases.”