Nurses in Bradford suffer bullying and harassment and are being driven out of the health service, according to a new survey.

And staff from the ethnic minorities are particularly suffering, with 29 per cent nationally reporting incidents of abuse.

The survey by the Royal College of Nursing found that one in six nurses across the country had been bullied by a member of staff in the last year and that one third of those affected intend to leave.

To raise awareness of the problem, the College has now launched a good practice guide for health care managers, recommending a written policy in hospital trusts.

Regional RCN officer Gerri Whitney said she had attended cases of bullying in Bradford, but that health chiefs were working hard to resolve the problem.

She said: "The two trusts in Bradford have already put our policies into practice, but there's still a lot of work we can do. If staff feel they are being bullied, we can't bury our heads and pretend it's not happening. It's incredibly distressing and it's not just about females either. It really shouldn't be happening in this day and age."

During his visit to Bradford Royal Infirmary's new Accident & Emergency Department yesterday, Health Secretary Alan Milburn praised a new security system, installed to safeguard doctors and nurses. "They should not have to put up with abuse, whether it's verbal or physical, while they're working," said Mr Milburn.

"It's very striking when you walk in here and the first thing you see is a big TV monitor. What people have been saying to me here is that it is providing a deterrent, which is necessary for them to do their job."

A Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust spokesman said there was a strict policy on harassment and bullying and any trends would be picked up in a staff attitude survey and dealt with.

Mr Milburn, pictured, kicked off his visit to Bradford by reconfirming the Government's commitment to a new Wharfedale General Hospital in Otley. Following a year long campaign for a new hospital to be built in the town, Newall Carr Road has been earmarked for the £15m development which is expected to start next year and be completed by 2004.

Mr Milburn said: "The standard of care people receive here is very high indeed and the staff are doing a brilliant job, but what you can't do is deliver 21st Century care in a 19th Century building.

"Work will begin next year on the site - it will be very important for people who live in the area and to the staff who are first rate and deserve a first-rate hospital."