The review also found the surgical leadership at the hospital “was not respected or valued by the service” and was considered by those interviewed to have been “poor”.
The review said it was critical the toxic culture and the “ongoing dysfunction between the consultant surgeons is resolved” as any “continued dysfunction would lead to service deterioration”.
It suggested the trust considered implementing behavioural contracts, with the threat of disciplinary action to tackle this issue.
The trust was advised by the review it should “introduce effective leadership” to the surgical unit and support the roles with training and mentoring.
The Royal College of Surgeons said a focus on safety was essential to restore confidence at the unit.
In response to the report, Prof Lesley Dwyer, the chief executive of Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group which oversees QEH, said the trust “accepted the serious concerns raised”.
She added it had now brought in leaders from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to help it improve the unit and make it “as safe as we would wish it to be”.
Prof Dwyer added “with the systems we have put in place with the amount of oversight, I am confident we have been able to ensure that they will get safe care”.
She added the trust had set up a helpline for those who have had surgery and have any concerns.