POLICE patrols could be used to stop a rise in the number of attacks on hospital staff.

The move is being considered after assaults on health workers in the Teesside area more than doubled in the last year.

Violent patients have become such a problem at the university hospitals of Hartlepool and North Tees, in Stockton, that staff have been trained in combating aggression. Panic buttons have also been installed.

Now hospital bosses are seeking permission to have police officers patrolling the corridors to protect doctors, nurses and receptionists.

Figures from the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust have revealed that the number of verbal and physical attacks on staff has increased from 97 to 199 in the past 12 months.

The majority of attacks occur in the over-stretched casualty unit from irate patients who may have drug, alcohol or mental health problems.

Doctors and nurses are entitled to refuse to treat patients if they become violent or aggressive.

Stephen Groves, accident and emergency clinical nurse manager with the trust, who is based in Hartlepool, has warned that his staff will not tolerate any more attacks.

He said: "I just think people need to be aware that my staff are there to try to help members of the public.

"They shouldn't be expected to tolerate this kind of behaviour. It is totally unnecessary, unprovoked and totally unacceptable."

A spokeswoman for the trust said: "We are looking into getting regular police patrols at the hospital, but we need to have a look at the options and discuss these with police."

Staff at the Hartlepool site are already being offered violence and aggression training to help them diffuse confrontations.

Accident and emergency staff are also linked up to security staff via personal panic buttons.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "We will support them on issues such as this and are happy to meet with them to discuss staff safety issues."