AN action plan has been approved by health chiefs in response to a report into alleged institutionalised racism at Queen's Park Hospital in Blackburn.

A report cleared top officials of racism over claims made by two consultants that they were being discriminated against. But it warned bosses had a 'great deal to learn' on managing issues involving race sensitively.

In line with the report's recommendations, all staff, including consultants, will receive compulsory training on cultural and racism awareness.

The training will also become part of the induction programme for new staff.

The course will give staff guidelines on the needs of certain religious groups such as prayer observance and patients who need to shower as an alternative to bathing.

The trust's associate medical director Professor Iqbal Singh will also play a greater part in handling complaints involving racial discrimination.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Healthcare Trust chairman chief executive John Thomas said he was committed to implementing the report's recommendations as quickly as possible.

He presented the action plan to a Trust board meeting.

The inquiry came about after complaints brought by Blackburn with Darwen Racial Equality Council, that two Asian consultants -- Mr Noor Ahmed Ebbiary and Mr Salim Najia -- were being treated less favourably than white counterparts in the obstetrics and gynaecology department.

The problems stemmed from 1997 when O and G staff complained about the practices of Mr Ahmed.

He was suspended and reinstated after retraining but he took the Trust to an industrial tribunal, which rejected his claims of racial discrimination and victimisation. Mr Najia claimed he had been harassed by senior managers.

The report also criticised some members of Blackburn with Darwen Racial Equality Council who were also 'key players' in the complaint.

This created a clear conflict of interest, it concluded, because the REC formally lodged the complaint against the hospital trust.