A "culture of fear and intimidation" remains in the health service despite the introduction of a confidential telephone line, it has been claimed.

Rab Wilson, a health worker whose questions led to failings being uncovered at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said more work needs to be done to raise awareness of the phone line which was launched last month.

But Mr Wilson also told BBC Radio Scotland that there is a "culture of fear" in the NHS which needs to change.

"I have not seen any advertisements in any newspapers. I have not heard anything on the radio. I've not seen anything on the television to tell anyone. Where is the advertising campaign for this?" said this morning.

"It does certainly seem that there is culture of fear in the NHS which is very real and staff at the coalface are terrified about raising issues in case they become the victims, and that whole culture needs to change."

His concerns are echoed by Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie who claims that "very few" NHS staff are aware of the phone line.

"There appears to have been little information distributed and I agree with Rab Wilson's comments that staff don't seem to be aware," she said.

While health boards should have "policies on the ground that actually support whistleblowers, encourage them to come forward and express their concerns", Ms Baillie claimed: "What we're seeing is a culture of fear and intimidation that stops people from stepping forward and saying this is a problem.

"If the policies aren't right on the ground, the culture isn't right at health board level. Then the reality is the helpline will just be something that sits on top of that that actually doesn't do what we all want it to do, which is enable the whistler to come forward in a supported environment."

More NHS whistleblowers have contacted her in the last five months "than appear to have been recorded by all of the NHS in the last five years", she said, adding that staff are "bullied and harassed and fearful of coming forward".

She said: "The helpline is extremely welcome but let's make sure it works. And our concern frankly is it's not widely enough advertised and we have not done enough to change the culture of fear and intimidation that exists."

The matter is for both health boards and the Scottish Government to deal with, Ms Baillie said.

"This is such a serious area of concern we need both to be working together to do this, whether its at health board level, or whether its nationally, I want to see the whistleblowers helpline be given the very best possible start so that staff are confident are using it."

"We cannot have a situation where they just don't know about it," said the Labour MSP who suggested advertising the phone line on health workers' payslips.

The confidential phone line for NHS staff who want to raise concerns about malpractice or wrongdoing their workplace is being piloted for a year, with Health Secretary Alex Neil saying it should offer reassurance to workers.

The line was set up in April in the wake of the Francis Inquiry which uncovered ''appalling'' failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust in England.

At the time Mr Neil said: ''It is important that all NHS workers feel that they can raise any concerns they may have safely and confidentially and, following the Francis Inquiry, be reassured that health boards will listen."

Today he said: "We already have robust whistleblowing policies in place and expect health boards to listen to staff and ensure that any concerns raised are properly considered and if necessary investigated.

"We have set national standards, agreed with employers, trade unions and professional organisations, that we expect boards to meet or exceed. These policies ensure that all NHS Scotland employees have the opportunity to raise any concerns they may have.

"To support and enhance these policies we have also put in place a National Confidential Alert Line for NHS Scotland employees.

"This free confidential helpline, which has been promoted across health boards in Scotland as well as on the NHS staff governance website, provides a safe space for staff to discuss any concerns they may have. It is a one-year pilot and provides an additional level of support for NHS staff who wish to raise concerns about malpractice and wrongdoing in NHS Scotland."