Brighton hospital must address culture and leadership issues, inspectors warn

Bosses of a Brighton hospital must address issues over its culture and leadership at an “urgent pace”, health inspectors have warned.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) revealed the culture in surgery theatres at Royal Sussex County Hospital was “still poor”, and that staff did not feel they could raise concerns without “fear of reprisals”.

The unannounced visit in August 2023 found an “improving” culture on the wards where staff felt respected and supported, but inspectors also heard examples of bullying in the surgery unit from 30 members of staff.