The worker wrote to hospital chiefs expressing "deep concerns" about the effect a ward closure was having on services at Grantham Hospital.

The letter, subsequently leaked to the media, said some patients had to wait for hours on trolleys.

The trust refused to say who the worker was or what he did.

In a statement it said the man had been suspended while an investigation was being carried out.

The trust claimed it was unable to comment further for reasons of "employee confidentiality".

It is believed, however, the male worker has been suspended for exceeding his job responsibility.

It is thought there have been incidents where he went to the aid of patients specifically because he thought the shortage of doctors meant they were not getting the attention they needed.