STAFF at the trust that runs south Cumbria's hospitals have reported being bullied, harassed and discriminated against while at work.

Thousands of workers at the Morecambe Bay hospitals trust responded to the yearly survey carried out across the country.

Trust bosses have praised an improvement in 'all areas' following the survey - but staff reported being harassed and discriminated against by colleagues, managers and patients.

More than 3,000 staff members responded to the NHS Staff survey for 2023.

Of those who reported facing harassment or bullying at work, around 22 per cent said it had come from patients or members of the public.

Around ten per cent said they had faced bullying by managers and 21 per cent said they had experienced it from other colleagues.

Meanwhile, nearly nine per cent of those who responded said they had faced discrimination from colleagues or managers.

Nearly half of those who responded said they were discriminated against for their ethnic background (44 per cent) while nearly 23 per cent said it was due to gender and three per cent because of religion.

However, trust bosses said the results for UHMBT showed improvements on nearly every question, particularly a three to four per cent improvement on all questions relating to the colleague’s line manager.

Compassionate and inclusive leadership has been a specific area of focus for the trust following previous survey results, trust bosses said, and have launched several initiatives such as Leadership Development, Anti-Racist Nursing Leadership and Restorative Practice programmes for staff. 

According to the survey, the trust is also above the NHS average in other areas, including having the right materials to carry out roles, there being enough staff and recognition for good work.

Ali Balson, chief people officer at UHMBT, said: "There is no doubt that last year was once again an extremely difficult and challenging time for colleagues working in the NHS with pressures felt across our health and care system.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our colleagues for taking the time for sharing their views in this important national survey and for everything they do, day in and day out, to make a positive difference for colleagues, patients and the communities we serve.

 “We have a clear set of cultural priorities that will continue to shape improvements to our culture. Care Group and Corporate Services leadership teams will be looking closely at their 2023 survey findings to support and improve colleague experience across teams and locations."