NHS Harrow staff face some of the highest levels of discrimination, bullying and harassment in the country, a according to a survey.

The organisation's employees are among the most motivated nationally but experience some of the highest levels of pressure and have cast doubt on its commitment to work-life balance, the results of the questionaire suggest.

Only 77 per cent felt the trust provides equal opportunities for development, compared to an average of 92 per cent nationally, placing it in the bottom 20 per cent in that category.

It faired just as badly for experiences of descrimination and also for experiences of general bullying, abuse and harassment by other members of staff, as well as patients and relatives.

At the same time the organisation scores in the bottom fifth for the perception of how effective its action to deal with violence and harassment is.

The trust, formerly Harrow PCT, was ranked in the lowest 20 per cent in the country in 22 out of 38 areas on the staff survey, published this month.

Among those categories is the number who would recommend it as a place to work or receive treatment, and the number who want to leave.

Also on the list are all six questions relating to training and personal development, along with health and safety training and the number of work related injuries.

The trust faired just as badly in terms of teamwork, and the availability of hand washing materials.

The response rate was 57 per cent, compared to 73 per last year, which was judged to be average compared to other PCTs across the country.

The damning verdict comes on the back of months of financial strife, during which managers admitted its money woes are "probably" the worst in London.

Senior figures have admitted the organisation has a high turnover of managers and chief executive Mark Easton himself recently moved to Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital.