Investigation Launched After Basingstoke Hospital Staff Member Posts Highly Offensive Content on Social Media
Key Highlights :
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Basingstoke hospital, has launched an investigation after a member of its theatre staff posted highly offensive content on social media. The trust said it has been contacted by both members of the public and other colleagues about the posts and said it is “working to respond to them”.
The controversy surrounds Russell Simmonds, a 51-year-old who has worked in theatre at Basingstoke hospital for 32 years. His posts on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, received a huge backlash, with hundreds of people calling him out for his controversial views.
However, it then came to light that his previously public X account and Facebook page contained a string of highly offensive comments which have since been shared with his employers at HHFT. As pressure mounted for the trust to directly address the issue, it has now responded to say an investigation will take place which will include a review of the “historical activity in relation to the comments”.
A spokesperson for the trust added: “Hampshire hospitals has no place for racism or misogyny; patients and staff should feel reassured that they are safe and welcome. Our values – compassion, accountability, respect and encouragement - are central to all we do, and we are extremely proud of our inclusive and highly international culture.”
Mr Simmonds X account was made private on Sunday, September 17. However, his Facebook page, which includes photographs of him wearing scrubs at work, remained open on Wednesday, September 20. It includes a post from March 22, 2017 which says: “The irony of watching our emergency services battling to keep that w***** alive earlier. Rot in hell c***.”
The hospital trust said it had not received any complaints about Mr Simmonds previously. It added that its staff are reminded of the social media policy, including what is acceptable use of social media. However, it said it does not carry out checks of its 8,000 plus staff members’ social media accounts.
The trust’s investigation into the posts will be conducted with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity. It is a reminder to all of us that social media can be a dangerous platform and that words and images posted online can have serious consequences.
It is also a reminder to employers that they must be vigilant and take action when any of their staff post offensive content. The trust has made it clear that it has a zero-tolerance policy towards any inappropriate or harmful behaviours and will take the necessary steps to ensure that its staff are aware of this.
We must all be mindful of the power of social media and the potential repercussions of what we post online. We must be aware of the impact our words can have on others and the potential consequences for our professional and personal lives. We must all take responsibility for our actions, both online and offline, and ensure that we are acting in a way that is respectful and responsible.
