ANTI-bullying campaigners have branded a report into allegations of bullying at the organisation running Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital as a “cover up”.

The review, commissioned by the NHS Trust Development Authority for the Good Governance Institute (GGI), found the organisation’s policy for dealing with concerns was found “not fit for purpose” but said there was “insufficient evidence to conclude that bullying and harassment is endemic at the trust”.

The report was commissioned following allegations of bullying at the trust which covers the Alexandra Hospital as well as Worcestershire Royal Hospital and Kidderminster Hospital.

Campaigners Betrayed by their Trust, which has made accusations of bullying against senior managers in Worcestershire’s health sector, labelled the report "disgraceful".

Chairman Nigel Gilbert voiced concerns that the report failed to mention any specific details of any instances of abuse and said he was disappointed.

"All those involved in the final version of this report should hang their heads in shame," he said.

"It has been made clear by the trust that we must move on and draw a line under what has happened in the past. No abusers are to be held to account for what they have done.

“There are many distressed people this morning feeling totally betrayed."

Mr Gilbert who called the report “bland” added: “Yesterday (Thursday, August 27) the trust held meetings with their staff to tell them of the new dawn and the new values of courtesy and respect which will henceforth be an essential part of the trust culture.

“Some staff were described by their managers as ‘cynics’ asking why they should believe it as they had heard it all before.

“Why should staff feel that things will be different when the abusers revealed by the mass of evidence given to the GGI investigators are all going to get away with it?"

Following the meeting, the trust’s interim chief executive Chris Tidman said: “My board colleagues and I will do everything in our power to ensure we listen to staff, take their views seriously and ensure they feel safe and supported when they bring ideas to us, or raise concerns.

“The messages highlighted in the report have given us much to reflect and act on.

“We are proud of so many of our staff who work to deliver excellent patient care, or support those who do.”