The NHS England and Black Country ICB visited Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on 31 July 2024, with a follow-up visit to Dorothy Pattison Hospital on 13 September after it was placed under the NHS Single Oversight Framework in November 2023.

The investigations found ‘considerable work' was required to improve the culture across the organisation with an ‘apparent disconnect from the board to frontline staff'.

The review found staff groups still didn't feel heard with some experiencing ‘a blame culture' and ‘tolerance of poor behaviours' at board level.

Marsha Foster, chief executive of Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, acknowledged there were ‘unacceptable behaviours, customs and practises that, though not universal across the trust, should have no place in our organisation'.

Foster said bringing two predecessor organisations together during the pandemic had ‘affected the development of the trust'.

She highlighted the ‘number of positives the investigation had found, including safe services and improvements in clinical and operational performance measures, a strong culture of quality and safety reporting and the very clear dedication of staff and patient-focused care'.

Foster added: ‘We recognise the challenges we face and we understand the concerns of our staff. The trust is committed to working with colleagues to do things differently and deliver improvements across our organisation.'