Judith Moritz
Special correspondent, investigation report

Inquest lawyer Nick de la Poer asks Alison Kelly to “consider the possibility that you may have given the impression that you were someone to be feared”.

Kelly responds: “I’m just very upset about it because it’s not in my nature to give that impression to staff at any level, whether it’s a consultant or a healthcare assistant, and throughout my career I have been required to be a credible leader, to listen, to support, to act.

“So to suggest that on my part, I think I would disagree and it’s not something that is in me as a nurse, as a senior leader, and for someone to have that impression of me is very overwhelming.”

Nick de la Poer continues: “Do you think it is possible that things have become so acrimonious – doctors versus nurses – with your support for nurses – that a culture of fear has developed?

Kelly responds: “I wouldn’t say a culture of fear. I think there were challenges in relationships. I think trust had broken down. “On reflection, we could have done more to support clinicians , but it was a really difficult time. . We were dealing with multiple reviews, understanding what was going on and listening to both sides. We listened to everyone and took their views into account.

“I wouldn’t say it was a culture of fear at all – there was a lot of engagement – ​​it was just tense at times, which is why we ultimately got advice from external agencies and the police.”