Attacks on medics by patients at Airedale Hospital have more than doubled in two years.

Latest figures reveal that 38 staff were assaulted up until November 5 last year, compared with 31 in 1997 and 17 in 1996.

The violent incidents have led to a range of injuries from broken limbs to cuts and bruises, and a call for tougher penalties on the attackers.

Hospital bosses said most attackers are under the influence of drink or drugs.

Two male nurses have just returned to work after being assaulted. Their treatment has involved counselling.

Staff working in the accident and emergency department and in the mental health wing are directly in the firing line. And hospital bosses have recruited two security guards to patrol the hospital and protect staff.

Meanwhile security has also been stepped up at Bradford Royal Infirmary with the appointment of an extra security guard bringing the total to three.

Airedale Community Health Council and the health union UNISON is calling for tougher penalties to be slapped on people who assault hospital staff.

They want the crime to be given the same gravity as assaults on police officers acting in the execution of their duty.

Unison official, nurse Linda Dalton, wrote to the Airedale NHS Trust chief executive Bob Allen following the latest attacks and has welcomed the latest moves.

"We need tougher sentencing from the courts - there needs to be a bigger deterrent," she said.

"An attack on a nurse should be treated in the same way as an attack on a police officer. As nurses we are in similar situations.

"The possibility of attack should not be regarded as part of the job - our work is hard enough without having to face physical and verbal abuse. What is happening is awful and people should be dealt with strongly."

Airedale Community Health Council has called on magistrates and police to act tougher with attackers.

Chief officer John Godward, said: "We are asking that any person found guilty or pleading guilty to violence against NHS employees while in the execution of their duty, is given an exemplary sentence."

Sue Franks, director of nursing, said the trust had taken on security officers to deal with the dramatic rise in attacks and verbal abuse, and staff were being encouraged to report the instances.

Particularly vulnerable were employees in A&E and the mental health wards and people had suffered injuries from cuts and bruises to breaks.

She blamed alcohol and drug abuse and the general rise in violence in society.

"We want to protect and support our staff. They should not have to come to work to be abused and attacked," she said.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.