A BRADFORD hospital trust has been accused of delays in investigating three serious incidents at its neonatal unit, including the deaths of two babies.

Dr Max Mclean, the chairman of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, resigned in protest after no action was taken with regard to concerns he raised about the performance of the trust’s chief executive Professor Mel Pickup.

He told the Telegraph & Argus he instigated an independent review into nine separate issues relating to the CEO, which he claimed were all confirmed when it reported back – but the Trust has responded saying her actions did not fall short of the standards expected.

It was a board meeting earlier this month when the directors decided to take no further action against Prof Pickup, that prompted Dr Mclean to resign.

His main concern related to the investigations into three separate serious incidents at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s neonatal unit, which happened over a 12-day period in April 2021.

He said they involved the death of two babies, one 3 days old and one 28 days old, as well as a ten-week-old baby left with a life-long disability.

Under national guidelines, serious incidents such as these should be investigated within 60 days, but each investigation took 14 months, Dr Mclean claimed in his resignation letter.

He said the incidents raised concerns over infection prevention and control and poor observation.

In a statement, the Hospital Trust did not specifically address the claim that the investigations took 14 months, but stated that no findings in the outcome of the report were made that the Chief Executive's actions or inactions could reasonably be seen to breach the Nolan principles which govern behaviour in a public office.

In his resignation letter, Dr Mclean, 62, who has been in post for four years, said: “I cannot, in good conscience, work with a CEO who has fallen so short of the standards expected of her role that there is a genuine safety risk to patients and colleagues.”

He told the T&A: “It was my duty to hold the CEO to account. It’s the fundamental duty of the chairman and the chairman is the only person who has that duty.”

He added that he had stepped down “in frustration” at what he branded a “cover-up culture” – adding he felt there were “serious risks to the safety of patients.”

Dr Mclean said when he first raised issues with Prof Pickup directly as part of an appraisal last year, she withdrew leaving him with "no option" but to request an independent review.

He added that he had received lots of messages of support from senior doctors and consultants throughout the trust.

Following a report in The Times, Bradford Neonatal Service posted on its Facebook page that all three incidents had “undergone very thorough review and scrutiny” and that “rapid learning was shared at the time of the incidents and action plans to respond were created and followed through”.

A spokesperson for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Following an independent review into concerns raised by both the former Chair and by the Trust's Chief Executive, it was determined that the Trust's Chief Executive has not fallen short of the expected standards for the role.

“No findings in the outcome of the report were made that the Chief Executive's actions or inactions could reasonably be seen to breach the Nolan principles which govern behaviour in a public office. The report did not recommend escalation to external regulators.

“The Trust takes all concerns regarding patient and staff safety extremely seriously and conducts thorough investigations when necessary. This includes the Trust Board being updated on the progress of reviews and continuing to consider any recommendations, whilst considering learning.

“The independent review did recommend further discussions, to improve working relationships, but the former Chair declined to participate and resigned with immediate effect. The CEO continues to have the full support of the Board.

“The Trust stressed the importance of moving forward to ensure the best possible care for patients in a supportive working environment.”

The Telegraph & Argus asked the Hospital Trust if Prof Pickup wished to comment personally on Dr Mclean's comments, but the Trust said it had nothing to add to the statement.

The Neonatal Service also sought to reassure families with babies at BRI’s unit – particularly in light of the shocking case of the former neonatal nurse at Countess of Chester Hospital, Lucy Letby.

They added of the situation in Bradford: “In the sad event of any serious incident, care is thoroughly reviewed in an open and clear way.”

Last week the T&A reported how Dr Mclean, a former senior police officer, had stepped down from his role.

At the time the Trust said he had decided to leave his position due to “personal reasons”.