HEALTH bosses have unveiled their new policy on harassment and bullying, which covers patients and staff.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS trust, which runs Queen's Park Hospital and Blackburn Royal Infirmary, compiled it with union members.

For the first time it allows for personality clashes between staff and managers, and sets out guidelines to determine whether a manager is firm or bullying.

It includes guidelines for staff harassed by patients and their relatives and a confidential form will be issued so managers can monitor trends towards such complaints.

But its emphasis is on staff making an effort to get on with each other.

The policy statement said: "All employees have the right to work in a safe environment that promotes dignity; encourages individuals to treat each other with respect; promotes speaking politely, openly and honestly with others, is open, transparent and fair; and encourages staff to take responsibility for each other."

Trust board members agreed to take another look at the policy in a year to see whether the time limits set for dealing with complaints were appropriate or might need changing.