George Clooney has come out in support of medical workers at a New Jersey hospital accused of looking at his confidential medical records.

The actor, 46, suffered a broken rib and scrapes when he was hurt in a motorcycle accident last month. He was treated at the Palisades medical centre in North Bergen, New Jersey.

WCBS-TV in New York reported last night that as many as 40 employees, including doctors, were suspended without pay, accused of accessing Clooney's medical records and possibly leaking the information to the media.

The Jersey Journal of Jersey City reported that 27 employees, but no doctors, had been disciplined, and only for looking at the records without authorisation. The investigation was not prompted by a complaint from Clooney, who said he only learned of it yesterday.

"While I very much believe in a patient's right to privacy, I would hope that this could be settled without suspending medical workers," he said in statement. A spokeswoman for the union representing some of the workers said they had been suspended without pay for four weeks.

"We believe this is a harsh penalty and an overreaction," said Jeanne Oterson, a spokeswoman for the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union, adding that a grievance could be filed pending further investigation.

Eurice Rojas, the hospital's vice president of external affairs, told The Jersey Journal that hospital officials do not believe any employees leaked Clooney's medical information, but some did improperly access his records.

US federal law mandates that only direct caregivers - including doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff involved in a patient's care - see such information. Mr Rojas did not return after-hours messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Clooney's motorcycle and a car collided on a narrow road in Weehawken, across the Hudson River from New York City. His passenger, Sarah Larson, 28, broke her foot.

Clooney shot to fame playing Dr Doug Ross on the television drama ER.