NSFT data scandal: Calls for 'major changes' at NHS trust

The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is under fresh scrutiny after it emerged that critical remarks had been removed from a damning report on its mortality data.

Campaigners have demanded senior leaders - chief executive Stuart Richardson and chairman Zoe Billingham - step down over the controversy.

And UNISON, a union which represents many of the trust's workers, has made its own calls for changes to be made at NSFT.

Peter Passingham, who represents UNISON in the East, said: "Our thoughts are with the families who will rightly be angry that NSFT appears to have been allowed to write its own report card after the terrible failings at the trust.

"It is a real concern that the trust has been more interested in polishing its public image than cleaning up the mess the service is in.

"NHS workers have spent years trying to get NSFT to take patient safety seriously, including regularly raising instances of staff being told not to report safety issues - but nothing has changed.

"It is clear that whoever leads NSFT, major changes are urgently needed and that starts with properly listening to staff, patients and the wider community."

The trust, however, insists it is making improvements to the way its staff are supported.

Stuart Richardson, chief executive of NSFT (Image: NSFT)

Mr Richardson said: "We are committed to listening to our staff and acting on what they tell us.

"Over the last year we have introduced safer ways of working and supported colleagues to raise concerns or ask questions so that we can address and help resolve them at the time - including introducing an independent freedom to speak up guardian that is available 24/7.

"We have delivered significant improvements for our service users over the past year, as evidenced by our latest inspection from the Care Quality Commission. However, we recognise that there is a long way to go."