Medics have more chance of being harassed or abused by patients in Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke's Hospital than at Airedale General Hospital at Steeton, a watchdog reports.

With 33 per cent of staff reporting abuse, Bradford Teaching Hospitals Trust is among the highest in the country where staff face being bullied by people they are treating, the Healthcare Commission report reveals.

Airedale staff, where 26 per cent report problems of abuse from patients, is ranked as average.

The report was carried out in all NHS organisations across England to find out what it was like working in the National Health Service.

It involved sending out questionnaires to staff and covered areas ranging from job satisfaction to the levels of stress.

The report found that handwashing facilities in Bradford which are important as part of the nationwide drive to reduce infection and combat MRSA, were below average, while Airedale was among the highest 20 per cent in the country.

In comparison to Airedale, staff in Bradford were also working longer hours than contracted and levels of training were not as high.

But both trusts received above average marks for the managerial approach to helping staff satisfaction in work.

Both trusts were in the top 20 per cent in the quality of jobs they provided, and especially in the areas of individual decision making.

Roger Pollard, Airedale NHS Trust director of human resources, said the survey was important because it allowed management to understand the staff viewpoint and learn what they were doing right as employers. "It clearly shows we have maintained our excellent record in the development of staff training and decreased some workload pressures," he said.

It was hoped to build on the positive elements of the report to ensure staff felt they were in a rewarding jobs.

A commission spokesman said the overall aim was to gather information to help provide better care for patients and improve the working lives of the people giving the care.