Just days after Dr Max McLean, Chair of the Board of Directors at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust stepped down from the position alleging failure in leadership by CEO Prof Mel Pickup, multiple statements have been issued from the trust, denying the allegations raised by the former Chair.
Image: ResearchGate
Dr Max has raised nine pertinent issues in his letter, wherein he said: “I cannot, in good conscience, work with a CEO who has fallen so short of the standards expected of her role that there is a genuine safety risk to patients and colleagues. You will know that I raised performance and conduct issues with Ms Pickup in her appraisal of September 2022, inviting her perspective. At that, she withdrew from the appraisal process, leaving me with no option but to request an independent review of the concerns.
“That independent review is now complete and all nine issues I raised are found to be proven against Ms Pickup, to have been correctly raised, and that her standards have fallen short of that expected.
“I have remained entirely silent on the issues pending the outcome of the review and therefore feel it is important to give you some accurate contextual information. I have been informed today by Julie Lawreniuk, senior independent director, that the Board consider that no further regulatory action is to be taken in respect of these findings.”
Dr Max raised nine issues, which included “failure to investigate three neonatal serious incidents within a reasonable timescale.”
Over a 12-day period in April 2021, there were three significant neonatal events, including the unfortunate demise of two newborns and a third newborn suffering from a lasting disability.
Other issues raised by former Chair was his allegation of the CEO’s failure “to treat a colleague’s discrimination complaint with adequate care and attention.”
Julie Lawreniuk, who is now undertaking the duties of the chair issued a statement on 12 October stating that: “The Trust commissioned an independent review to examine concerns about Trust leadership and issues raised by our Chief Executive and our former Chair. Importantly, the review did not recommend escalating the matter to external regulators. The independent review did suggest further discussions to improve working relationships, which our former Chair chose not to participate in, and he subsequently tendered his resignation with immediate effect.
“Our Trust Board is dedicated to upholding the highest ethical and professional standards. It treats all concerns with the utmost seriousness and is fully committed to transparency and accountability. raised within our organisation. The Trust Board takes the allegations made very seriously and is taking steps to assure itself in respect of each of the issues raised in the independent report. This includes considering and acting on any recommendations and learning.
“The Trust has shared the review findings with the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), and a Rapid Quality Review meeting, in line with the National Quality Board’s Guidance on Quality Risk, has commenced. This meeting included Trust Board members, and regulators such as NHS England and the Care Quality Commission.”
Image: Uni of Bradford
The Bradford Neonatal Service also issued a response on its Facebook page: “As a Neonatal team we have all been incredibly upset by a recent national news article which relates to the resignation of the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Bradford Teaching Hospitals.
“In the article the former Chairman makes comments about the time it took to investigate three unrelated serious incidents that occurred at the beginning of 2021. All of which have undergone very thorough review and scrutiny. Rapid learning was shared at the time of the incidents and action plans to respond were created and followed through.”
A spokesperson for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had earlier said: “Following an independent review into concerns raised by both the former Chair and by the Trust’s Chief Executive, it was determined that the Trust’s Chief Executive has not fallen short of the expected standards for the role.
“No findings in the outcome of the report were made that the Chief Executive’s actions or inactions could reasonably be seen to breach the Nolan principles which govern behaviour in a public office. The report did not recommend escalation to external regulators.
“The Trust takes all concerns regarding patient and staff safety extremely seriously and conducts thorough investigations when necessary. This includes the Trust Board being updated on the progress of reviews and continuing to consider any recommendations, whilst considering learning. The independent review did recommend further discussions, to improve working relationships, but the former Chair declined to participate and resigned with immediate effect. The CEO continues to have the full support of the Board.
“The Trust stressed the importance of moving forward to ensure the best possible care for patients in a supportive working environment”.
