Eastbourne MP calls for NHS bullying investigation to be widened across whole trust
Josh Babarinde says staff must be able to raise concerns without fear of reprisal
Eastbourne's MP is calling for an investigation into bullying and harassment at the area's NHS trust to be expanded across the entire organisation.
Liberal Democrat Josh Babarinde has written to the chief executive of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) urging leaders to widen the current review beyond its general surgery department.
The trust runs Eastbourne District General Hospital and Conquest Hospital in St Leonards.
What the review found
An independent review, commissioned in January 2026, found a "significant proportion" of staff in the general surgery department had experienced bullying, harassment or discrimination in the previous 12 months.
A summary of the review, according to reports, found women, non-consultant medical staff and ethnic minority staff were among those experiencing the greatest harm.
It also found harmful behaviours had become normalised in the department, and that psychological safety was significantly compromised for staff with less formal authority.
The MP's call
Mr Babarinde said several current and former members of staff had contacted him to raise their own concerns after news of the review emerged.
In his letter to the chief executive, he set out three requests: to broaden the scope of the investigation so concerns are not limited to one department, to establish a confidential process for current and former staff to come forward, and to clarify the support and protections available to those who raise concerns.
Mr Babarinde said: "There must be zero tolerance for bullying, harassment and discrimination within our NHS, or indeed in any workplace.
"Every member of staff, whether serving or former, should be able to raise concerns safely, without fear of reprisal, and have confidence that those concerns will be taken seriously and acted upon.
"That is why I have asked East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust to urgently expand its review across the Trust."
The trust's response
Dr Simon Merritt, chief medical officer at the trust, previously said bullying, harassment, racism and sexism had no place in the trust and that it had "taken clear action in response to the findings".
He said the trust had embedded dedicated support to attend meetings and offer confidential advice to colleagues, and confirmed that investigations were under way.