Heart doctor sacked after bullying staff for 15 years, tribunal hears

An NHS consultant was sacked after bullied colleagues refused to work with her, a tribunal was told.

Heart specialist Dr Gail Richardson was said to have intimidated staff for 15 years with her ‘confrontational, rude and demanding’ behaviour.

One nurse had sleepless nights before working with her and even hid from her during shifts.

Dr Richardson was finally dismissed by NHS bosses at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, in August 2020 over the ‘irretrievable breakdown’ in relationships with her senior colleagues.

The Leicester tribunal heard that, between 2007 and 2019, she was the subject of nine investigations including claims of bullying and harassment.

After a disciplinary panel recommended her dismissal in 2018, she successfully appealed. But two doctors submitted a document highlighting their ‘great concern’ over her re-appointment.

A senior cardiologist described it as a disaster and an investigation in October 2019 found it would be difficult to reintegrate her. Dr Richardson claimed unfair dismissal against University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust but her latest appeal was thrown out.

Employment Judge Kirsty Ayre said: ‘I am satisfied that Dr Richardson was dismissed because working relationships between her and her senior colleagues within the cardiology team had broken down.

‘Dr Richardson appeared to show no consideration for the feelings of others and very little recognition of the impact that her behaviours had on her colleagues.’

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