DOCTORS and nurses at the Royal Bolton Hospital can raise concerns over colleagues with the introduction of a whistle-blowing procedure.

The new policy will allow NHS staff to tell bosses about malpractices on the wards without fear of losing their job or retribution.

The change in the complaints procedure has taken place because of Government acts which insist new rules should be laid down.

A meeting of the Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust board approved the move to make whistle-blowing easier last night.

A copy of the Whistle-blowing Policy and Procedure will be sent to every Trust employee urging them to tell managers and other senior staff of any concerns they have over fellow colleagues.

It states: "We would rather you raised the matter when it is just a concern rather than wait for the proof. If in doubt -- raise it"

The document says many issues are raised informally with managers and they are happy for this to continue, with the new policy existing to deal with more serious concerns formally.

A clinical incident is defined as "an untoward outcome related to the direct care of a patient and a 'near miss' is an occurrence which had the potential to cause injury or harm to a patient but did not do so".

The NHS Trust says it will acknowledge concerns within a week and will set out how the complaint will be dealt with and who will be dealing with the matter.

If the complaint is of a very serious nature it may be passed on to an external independent inquiry.

Employees who do not feel happy contacting these people or the feel their concern is too serious can then contact the non-executive director.

The document also asks staff not to make complaints anonymously, as it will make it much more difficult to investigate.