THE head of the organisation running the majority of community and mental health services in Worcestershire has hit back at claims of bullying by management.

Campaign group Betrayed By Their Trust has claimed it has evidence of “a highly abusive culture” at Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, which runs the Princess of Wales Community Hospital, in Stourbridge Road.

On Friday afternoon, (February 13), it was announced the NHS Trust Development Authority had launched a “preliminary review” into four cases in the organisation and its predecessor, Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and the provider arm of Worcestershire Primary Care NHS Trust.

A spokesman from the authority said it would also be looking into what it called “broader allegations around the culture of the organisation”.

The trust’s chief executive Sarah Dugan said the organisation would co-operate with the review but refuted any allegations of a “bullying culture”.

“Our recent staff survey, which is anonymous, revealed that the vast majority had never experienced any form of harassment, bullying or discrimination from their manager, team leader or other colleagues,” she said.

“We actively promote ways in which staff can raise any concerns about their service or other aspects of their work and are signed up to the Nursing Times’ Speak out Safely campaign reaffirming our commitment to openness, honesty and transparency and to creating a culture which encourages staff to highlight any issues they have."

She added the trust employed more than 4,000 staff and had received two claims of bullying or harassment during 2014, both of which were under investigation.

This review is separate from the investigation into allegations of bullying and harassment at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which was announced last week.