HUNDREDS of North-East health workers are abused and attacked every year - and the situation is getting worse, according to new figures.

Reports of violence against NHS staff have risen by 13 per cent in the past two years, says the National Audit Office (NAO).

Nurses are most likely to be the victims of an epidemic of violence which costs the NHS at least £69m a year.

In the North-East, many trusts reported an increase in attacks. In a recent case, two ambulance staff were attacked without warning as they treated a casualty on Newcastle's quayside.

Paul Liversidge, spokesman for the North-East Ambulance Service (NEAS), said: "We have three people on sick leave due to physical abuse. The way things are going, there will eventually be no-go areas where ambulances will need a police escort."

Recently, the NEAS took the decision to refuse to respond to calls from one known troublemaker.

Sir John Bourn, head of the NAO, said those most at risk were staff in ambulance services, accident and emergency departments, and acute mental health units.

Hard figures were difficult to come by but North Tees and Hartlepool trust saw the number of incidents increase from 97 to 157.

The Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service also reported increased violence and abuse.

Figures were up for the Scarborough hospitals trust.

South Tees hospitals trust has had 82 incidents so far this year, compared to 86 last year.

The North East Ambulance Service has logged 165 incidents so far this year.

County Durham and Darlington hospitals reported a "recent noticeable reduction" in incidents.

Liz Twist, regional officer for health union Unison, said "tough penalties" needed to be brought in for those who attacked NHS staff.