SECURITY officers have been introduced to prevent violence against staff in the accident and emergency department at Burnley General Hospital.

The physical presence of safety officers has been introduced within the last few weeks as one measure to combat an ever increasing number of threats and violence against nurses and doctors.

A judge was told this week how a casualty doctor at Burnley General Hospital feared for her life when she was attacked by a woman who had been drinking and smoking cannabis.

Dr Judith Ngowi was lifted off the floor, pressed against a wall and could not breathe.

Months after the assault she was still unable to cope with the job and was said to have lost her confidence.

The doctor recovered sufficiently to return to work two months ago.

Denise Austin, 32, who was said to have "many and varied problems'' walked free from court. She admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and was put on probation for two years.

Recorder Robert Marks said people who worked in hospitals must be protected from such conduct and that generally those who committed such offences would lose their liberty.

Geoff Summers, director of facilities at Burnley Health Care NHS Trust, said: "I don't want to omment on the sentence in one. particular case, it must have been deemed to have been appropriate in the circumstances.'' He added: "We take our responsibilities for the health and safety of our staff above all.

"It is very important and something which we discuss regularly within our committees and directly with the staff.''

Mr Summers said: "We accept there are times when there is a potential for violence and it is part of the general risk which we have analysed to improve security within Burnley General Hospital.''

Measures taken include CCTV, a locked doors policy, security training for all staff who are likely to be at risk and the issue of personal attack alarms.

The latest measure is the introduction of security officers at times of highest risk, including evening and night.

It is hoped their physical presence will reduce incidents considerably and help resolve any threats of violence.

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