Let's act on abuse

IT'S outrageous that more than 20 NHS staff in Wales are being attacked every day of the week.

And it's about time some real action was taken to end it.

People idiotic enough to lash out at our care workers deserve nothing less than the full force of the law coming down on them.

In particular, anyone found guilty of abusing a hospital or health centre worker should be denied all but the most urgent treatment. If they are suffering from minor ailments or non-life threatening conditions they should start at the beginning of the waiting list again. This might just teach them the lesson they need.

Most private businesses such as hotels, restaurants and shops would terminate the relationship with a client or customer who used violence, and wouldn't hesitate to press charges against them. Legal action should now be taken routinely by our public services in order to deter these thugs from this sort of behaviour. It should be the rule, not the exception.

Anything less just will not do.

For our report — see page 28