EAST YORKS: The trust that runs Bridlington Hospital is setting up a hotline to encourage staff to voice any concerns they have about bullying.

Scarborough And North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust was due to run the hotline from 10am to 6pm today, which is national Ban Bullying Day.

Staff who use the hotline do not have to give their name.

The hotline will be run by "fair treatment contacts", an independent group of staff who provide information to enable workers to resolve a concern.

Jayne Adamson, director of human resources at the trust, said: "Bullying causes a great deal of unhappiness, can affect people's health and greatly affects attitudes towards work.

"At a time when a great deal of work is taking place to improve the culture and values of the trust, it is important that staff engage and stand up against bad practices.

"However, if no one knows, nothing can be done."

A report will be drawn up by the staff who run the hotline and the findings will be presented to Richard Sunley, the trust's chief executive.