BULLYING was one of the main reasons why a top secretary with the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust became ill with stress and left her job, Birmingham Employment Tribunal was told.

The allegation was made as Kate Quick of Gregory's Mill Street, Barbourne, Worcester, sought compensation against the trust for constructive dismissal.

Mrs Quick, who was employed by the trust, which runs Worcestershire Royal, Kidderminster Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, hospitals, for five years, complained of bullying by a staff member and said she had been involved in a series of upsetting events.

When the trust made changes Mrs Quick was switched from a secretary in patients' service to nursing administration.

She complained there was no proper job description and no basic training carried out.

There was also an issue over the register and problems with documents.

The tribunal was told that with the bullying contributing to the situation, Mrs Quick went on sick leave suffering from stress and eventually resigned, alleging the circumstances caused her to leave.

She said she had been previously happy with her job.

John Search, representing Mrs Quick, said she sent a letter to the trust containing her grievance, but did not get a reply until months later.

He criticised the management for not dealing with the situation early and said it should have been "nipped in the bud."

Mr Search described Mrs Quick as diligent, highly valued, possessing integrity and a role model for others.

"She had reached the top of her profession," he said.

The trust denied the bullying allegation, opposed Mrs Quick's claim for constructive dismissal but agreed they should have replied to her letter much earlier. The trust denied that her complains were breaches of contract.

Tribunal chairman David Dimbylow said a decision would be made at a later date after the tribunal had considered more than 300 pages of evidence. The hearing lasted several days.