A CRACKDOWN on aggressive patients who assault NHS staff was welcomed today by East Lancashire nurses.

Health Secretary Frank Dobson wants stiffer sentences imposed on people who attack nurses, doctors and other front-line health professionals.

Latest figures have revealed that one in ten NHS staff have been victims of assault in the last 12 months - compared to one in 210 of the general public.

Linda Whitfield, Royal College of Nursing spokesman in East Lancashire, said: "Nurses bear the brunt of people's aggression because they are in the front line.

"It is a growing problem especially in accident and emergency departments late at night.

"Drugs and alcohol influence play a big part in leading to such attacks.

"Even in this area nurses and other health workers are under extreme pressure and patients are facing such long waits that it leads to tension and trouble."

"Nurses would certainly welcome such a crackdown."

Mr Dobson is holding talks with Home Secretary Jack Straw aimed at ensuring courts impose harsher sentences on those convicted.

He also wants the police and criminal justice system in general to treat the attacks more seriously and not regard them as simply part of a nurse's job.

Mr Dobson is also revising the Patients Charter introduced by the previous Government.

He aims to stress that patients have responsibilities as well as rights.

He said: "One crucial responsibility is not to turn up drunk at hospitals or surgeries."

A large proportion of attacks are committed in late night casualty wards.

He said: "Health professionals expect and deserve to be protected."

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