Belfast Health and Social Care Trust defends record after bullying report, as one nurse brands it 'a modern day cult'
Belfast Trust says its performance on bullying has significantly improved since a damning report last year - after one nurse who recently resigned described it as "like a modern day cult".
In June 2025, allegations of bullying were raised about the Trust's cardiac surgery service. After investigating, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt placed the Trust under Level 5 intervention – the highest level available.
He then commissioned a review by Peter McBride and Dr Jennifer Hill, who surveyed more than 3,400 staff.
They reported in October 2025 that 65.3% of respondents did not feel confident reporting concerns without fear of retaliation.
The report found that grievance, disciplinary and conflict, bullying and harassment cases had remained broadly steady over the previous five years.
The main themes staff reported were, "bullying and harassment, a toxic working environment, the misuse of power and processes, unprofessional conduct and disregard for policies, and patient and staff safety risks being ignored".
More than a year later, one newly resigned nurse claims that serious concerns persist.
Speaking under the TikTok handle ‘TheMixedHerd’, she brands herself as ‘NHS nurse whistleblowing on toxic management culture’.
With almost 5,900 followers, she has been publishing frequent posts about her recent experience of leaving the trust.
Some people had contacted her privately to describe Belfast Trust as "like a modern day cult".
She added: "And I'm going to have to agree with you. So when I put my resignation in, my manager's manager banned everyone in the team from mentioning me. There was to be no talk about me. Like, how cult-like is that, that you have to control what people say?"
She thanked those who had privately contacted her about their experiences, adding: "It's quite shocking, the stories that I've heard."
As a Band 7 nurse, she said no issues had been raised about her performance but that she was leaving the NHS after 12 years.
Asked whether it believed significant progress had been made in the Trust in the past year, a Royal College of Nursing spokeswoman said the McBride-Hill findings should act as "a catalyst for meaningful and lasting change".
She added: "Staff must have confidence that concerns can be raised without fear of reprisal and that complaints will be investigated thoroughly, fairly and transparently."
The RCN said it would continue monitoring the situation and engaging with the Trust, encouraging anyone experiencing bullying to seek support from their manager or trade union.
Responding, the Trust said it recognised the importance of creating an environment where staff felt safe, supported and confident raising concerns.
A spokesman said it had accepted the McBride/Hill report's findings and recommendations and undertaken "a significant programme of work to strengthen organisational culture".
This included a five-year People and Culture Strategy, strengthened whistleblowing oversight, independent audits, leadership development and a network of Whistleblowing Advocates.
The spokesman added that staff survey results had shown positive movement across all measured themes since the report, including overall engagement and questions relating to raising concerns.
The Department of Health responded that McBride and Hill would publish a one-year progress review of their 10 recommendations later this month.
It said formal oversight of the Trust had continued through monthly accountability meetings involving the Trust's chief executive and chair/vice-chair, alongside senior Department of Health and Public Health Agency representatives.