Hospital managers have apologised to two workers accused of bullying and intimidation.

An independent report has exonerated Pauline Kenny and Jean Pope of the allegations.

It criticised Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust for its treatment of their case.

The two women work in the medical records department at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

The report by independent consultants specialising in cases of bullying was commissioned jointly by the GMB union and the trust.

It followed a four-month internal inquiry by the hospital last summer which also cleared the two women.

Fellow staff had threatened a walk out if the pair were found guilty.

Relations were also strained over plans to move the department to a new 24-hour centre in Freshfield Road, Brighton.

Workers complained they were not properly consulted about the potential changes to their shift patterns.

Mrs Pope, 59, has worked in the department for 17 years. Clerical officer Mrs Kenny, 47, is a shop steward for the GMB.

The accusations were made by a former employee.

GMB regional organiser Charles Harrity welcomed the new report.

He said: "While endorsing the findings, the GMB regrets that two of its members, one a GMB rep, had to go through a stressful period being falsely accused of bullying and harassment.

"The chain of events which overtook these two individuals could have been prevented if management had followed procedures correctly.

"Both the GMB and the trust recognise these two staff are still coming to terms with the consequences of these events."

Chris Wilson, the trust's director of personnel, said: "The trust is aware uncertainty over new premises has made working conditions very difficult.

"However, we will not tolerate bullying and harassment. Although the trust investigated every complaint and counter-complaint thoroughly, we accept that mistakes were made during the investigations and communications between staff and managers was poor."

The trust is introducing a number of changes, including:

Training for all staff and managers on how to recognise and report allegations of bullying and harassment
Conflict resolution courses to help identify and defuse potentially difficult situations
Creation of a 24-hour independent confidential helpline
Access to counsellors who can offer emotional support to staff facing a wide variety of difficulties including allegations of bullying and harassment
The possibility of employing trained professionals to help mediate in any dispute.

The medical records department will move to Freshfield Road in June.