Senior Managers Suspended at Liverpool Hospital Group Over Bullying Claims

Key Points

University Hospitals of Liverpool Group suspended six senior managers in the past few weeks.
Suspensions have been made regarding some bullying complaints, sources told the Liverpool ECHO.
All suspended managers do not belong to the clinical sector, the Liverpool ECHO is informed.
The group of hospitals has nearly 19,000 employees in five locations in Liverpool.
It was said that any comments on this matter would not be appropriate until the work is done.

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) September 18, 2026 — A total of six senior managers at major hospitals across Liverpool have been suspended in the last few weeks, with some of those suspensions related to allegations of bullying, the Liverpool ECHO understands.

The ECHO can confirm that the suspended senior managers work for the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG), which was formed in November 2024 and employs almost 19,000 staff at five sites across the city. These include Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool Women’s University Hospital, and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

The ECHO was contacted on the afternoon of September 17 by an individual wishing to remain anonymous, but who claimed that up to six senior staff members had been suspended. When asked what the suspensions were related to, and which departments were impacted, the source told the outlet that some of the suspensions came about after allegations of bullying. The ECHO understands that none of the suspended senior managers held positions within the group’s clinical staff.

Responding to questions about whether members of its senior managers had been suspended, and whether those suspensions related to allegations of bullying, a spokesperson for University Hospitals of Liverpool Group said:

“We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.”

The spokesperson added:

“It is important that all staff feel able to raise concerns and we have a number of processes and actions in place to support this, however it would be inappropriate to comment further while specific work is ongoing.”

What are the allegations against suspended Liverpool hospital managers?

As reported by an anonymous source to the Liverpool ECHO, some of the suspensions of senior managers at University Hospitals of Liverpool Group came about after allegations of bullying. The source, who contacted the outlet on September 17, claimed that up to six senior staff members had been suspended in recent weeks.

The Liverpool ECHO understands that none of the suspended senior managers held positions within the group’s clinical staff, indicating that the allegations relate to managerial conduct rather than clinical practice. The outlet has not disclosed the names of the individuals involved, nor the specific departments affected, citing the ongoing nature of the situation and the anonymity of the source.

Which hospitals are affected by the suspensions?

The suspended senior managers work for the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG), which was formed in November 2024 and employs almost 19,000 staff at five sites across the city. The group includes Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool Women’s University Hospital, and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is part of the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, which employs tens of thousands of staff. The group’s formation in late 2024 consolidated several major hospital sites under a single organisational structure, creating one of the largest NHS employers in the region.

What has University Hospitals of Liverpool Group said about the suspensions?

Responding to questions from the Liverpool ECHO about whether members of its senior managers had been suspended, and whether those suspensions related to allegations of bullying, a spokesperson for University Hospitals of Liverpool Group said:

“We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.”

The spokesperson added:

“It is important that all staff feel able to raise concerns and we have a number of processes and actions in place to support this, however it would be inappropriate to comment further while specific work is ongoing.”

The statement did not confirm or deny the number of suspensions, nor provide details about the nature of the allegations beyond acknowledging the importance of staff being able to raise concerns.

How many senior managers have been suspended at Liverpool hospitals?

According to the Liverpool ECHO, a total of six senior managers at major hospitals across Liverpool have been suspended in the last few weeks. The outlet was contacted on September 17 by an individual wishing to remain anonymous, who claimed that up to six senior staff members had been suspended.

The ECHO can confirm that the suspended senior managers work for the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG), which employs almost 19,000 staff at five sites across the city. The outlet understands that none of the suspended senior managers held positions within the group’s clinical staff.

Background to the development

The University Hospitals of Liverpool Group was formed in November 2024, consolidating several major hospital sites under a single organisational structure. The group employs almost 19,000 staff across five sites, including Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool Women’s University Hospital, and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

The suspensions come amid heightened scrutiny of NHS management practices following the publication of the Thirlwall Inquiry report on September 15, 2026, which found a “complete failure to protect babies” at the Countess of Chester Hospital where Lucy Letby committed her crimes. The inquiry recommended new regulation on NHS managers, not just on clinical professionals, and the government has confirmed plans to apply a barring scheme to senior leaders and managers.

In a separate but related development, Dr Susan Gilby, a former hospital boss who was suspended in December 2022, was awarded £1.4m in damages after suing the health service for unfair dismissal. At the time, Gilby had accused the trust’s chairman, Ian Haythornthwaite, of bullying and harassment. The Thirlwall Inquiry also found that Dr Brearey was wrongly accused of bullying and harassing the nurse Lucy Letby.

Prediction: How this development can affect NHS staff and patients in Liverpool

The suspension of six senior managers at University Hospitals of Liverpool Group amid bullying allegations is likely to have several effects on NHS staff and patients in the region. For staff, the suspensions may encourage greater willingness to raise concerns about workplace culture, particularly given the hospital group’s statement that “it is important that all staff feel able to raise concerns”. However, the ongoing nature of the investigations and the limited public information may also create uncertainty among employees about the scope and outcome of the proceedings.

For patients, the impact is less direct given that none of the suspended managers held clinical positions, according to the Liverpool ECHO. Nevertheless, prolonged management instability could affect operational efficiency and staff morale, which may indirectly influence patient experience. The hospital group’s commitment to “creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported” suggests an intention to address cultural issues that could affect service delivery.

In the broader context, these suspensions align with post-Thirlwall Inquiry reforms aimed at increasing accountability for NHS managers. The government’s plan to introduce a barring scheme for senior leaders and managers may mean that future cases of alleged misconduct by hospital executives will be subject to more rigorous scrutiny and potential sanctions. This could lead to improved governance standards across NHS trusts, though it may also make senior management roles more risk-averse in decision-making.