THE “disastrous” financial background of NHS Harrow could be a factor in a damning indictment of the trust by past and present staff, an MP says.

The organisation, formerly Harrow PCT, came in the bottom 20 per cent in the country in 22 out of 38 questions on a survey of employees, including for levels of discrimination, bullying and harassment.

The organisation admits the results were “very disappointing” but says it has since introduced a series of programmes which it hopes will address the problem.

Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, said: “My view of Harrow PCT is that they've had a disastrous financial background for a long time. They are obviously trying to over come that but it's been badly managed for a long time.

“Whenever you get these sort of challenges it creates an environment where these types of issues come to the fore.”

He added: “They need to root out individuals who are responsible for it and create an environment where people want to work there.”

Among the programmes to be introduced are a 24 hour confidential advice service for staff.

Another sees employees volunteer to become “champions” helping to give advice to their colleagues on a range of issues including bullying and harassment policy.

They will exist at various levels of the organisation.

NHS Harrow says since the survey was carried out all staff who provide a service, who made up 73 per cent of the organisation, were moved to another NHS body attached to Ealing Hospital, leaving only managers who commission services.

This means many of the people who took part in the survey will still be working in the borough and will be commissioned by NHS Harrow but are no longer part of the organisation.