An independent review by Niche Health and Social Care Consulting revealed that staff at University Hospitals Sussex, currently under police investigation into at least 90 deaths, feared career reprisals for raising concerns. The report described a workplace culture in which negative information was suppressed, whistleblowers were marginalised, and in which authoritarian leadership styles fostered a ‘parent-child’ dynamic. Additional allegations included misogyny, unaddressed unwanted advances, and a lack of psychological safety, with warnings that these factors may be compromising patient safety.
Experts emphasised that psychological safety is essential for both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes. Leaders must treat concerns as constructive insight, model openness by admitting mistakes, and prioritise culture alongside performance metrics.
