It is the latest in a series of controversies to have hit the university health board
A surgeon is under investigation following allegations he sent an intimate picture of himself to a student nurse(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
A hospital surgeon is under investigation following an allegation he sent an intimate picture of himself to a student nurse. The consultant at Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales is alleged to have shared an image in which his private parts were visible.
A source close to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said it is the latest in a series of incidents in which staff are alleged to have abused their position of trust. Earlier this year a damning report into the hospital’s operating theatres found illicit drug use, racism and staff sabotaging each other.
The report concluded: “It is not an open and transparent safety culture where people all feel able to speak up freely and feel respected and valued.” For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter here
A spokesman for the health board said it could not comment on the investigation into the surgeon accused of sending an inappropriate image.
“Any individuals who are subject to an internal process are managed in accordance with our employment policies, and these matters remain strictly confidential,” he told WalesOnline.
The recent report on the culture of University Hospital of Wales‘ operating theatres found there had been “regular” thefts from the staff changing room including examples of money, phones, computers and clothing going missing.
“This has clearly created an atmosphere of fear, a breach of personal trust and has gone a long way to destroy the bonds which allow people to work effectively together,” stated the report, which also found “a general lack of courtesy across the department”.
Other recent controversies to have hit the health board include seriously inadequate facilities at University Hospital of Wales, an external probe into the Hafan y Coed mental health unit after scathing inspections, a failure to act when an electroconvulsive therapy clinic manager bullied colleagues for years, and allegations of unauthorised visitors being invited in to watch operations.
The health board spokesman said: “We encourage all staff to raise any concerns through the appropriate internal channels so that they can be addressed promptly and appropriately.
“The safety and wellbeing of our staff and patients remains a high priority for us, and we want to provide the assurance that, where concerns are raised, the appropriate safeguarding measures are put in place.”
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