A recent report has unveiled serious dysfunctions at the CHU de Liège, raising significant concerns regarding patient health.

The report paints a picture of a chaotic environment that has eroded trust in management and compromised the quality of patient care.

The audit was prompted by persistent complaints from the orthopedic surgery department, indicating that problems had been ongoing for nearly three years.

Interviews with 34 staff members revealed a lack of leadership, poor communication, and high stress levels among employees.

The management style at the hospital has shifted from authoritarian to more permissive, which has resulted in divisions within the surgical team.

Among the alarming issues identified are unperformed surgeries, improperly billed procedures, and inadequate supervision during critical operations.

The structure of the CHU allows for lifetime appointments of department heads, complicating matters when leadership is ineffective.

Conducted between July and December 2024, the audit highlights a troubling decline in the quality of patient care alongside numerous organizational issues.

In response to the report, the medical director has acknowledged the outlined problems and emphasized the importance of ongoing internal audits and corrective measures.

Regular meetings are being held to implement essential improvements and track progress following the findings of the report.

Consequences of these dysfunctions include operations being conducted by unsupervised assistants and inadequate postoperative care for patients.