NHS trust managers investigated

The trust runs the Eastbourne District General Hospital

An investigation has been launched into allegations about senior managers at the East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Healthcare Commission said its inquiry followed allegations of unfair treatment of some staff.

It said there were also concerns about the way in which some complaints by patients and relatives were handled.

The trust, which runs Eastbourne District General Hospital, and the Conquest Hospital, Hastings, said it took such matters very seriously.

Our aim is to help the trust to eliminate any problems by examining the improvements that can be made to its way of working Anna Walker, chief executive, Healthcare Commission

The commission, which aims to improve the quality of health care, said there had been complaints about an alleged lack of professionalism towards patients and relatives.

"There is no suggestion at the moment that there is a risk to patient safety. It is more an issue relating to staff," a statement said.

The investigation will focus on senior staff who have jurisdiction across all services the trust runs, and could lead to the government being asked to enforce special measures on the trust.

The Healthcare Commission said it was the first time it had launched an investigation of this nature, as it normally concentrated on failings within individual services.

Management practices

Anna Walker, chief executive, said: "Our investigation will examine the trust's management practices and explore the treatment of both patients and staff.

"Our aim is to help the trust to eliminate any problems by examining the improvements that can be made to its way of working so it can move forward and focus on providing a valuable service."

John Lewes, chairman of East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We welcome this investigation by the Healthcare Commission.

"We take matters such as this very seriously and will work closely with the Healthcare Commission during their investigation."

The trust said it had a number of policies in place to encourage staff to come forward if they experienced difficulties in the work place.

The commission will speak to current and former staff, patients and relatives, and said it would go back as far as is needed.

It expects to report its findings next April.