VIOLENT patients could be forced to have doctors' appointments in police stations after alarming evidence of attacks on GPs was uncovered.

The radical move to improve security of surgery staff was proposed following the findings of a survey by North Yorkshire Health Authority.

The survey uncovered more than 150 incidents of abusive behaviour, 14 direct threats of violence and four actual assaults on GPs and their staff in the past three months.

The findings, which mirror this week's plot of TV drama Peak Practice, shocked senior health officials working on a detailed plan to combat violence against GPs.

Under new proposals, violent patients would not be excluded from receiving general medical services, but they would not be treated in normal surgeries.

Dr Gavin McBurnie, director of primary care in North Yorkshire, said: "It is clearly unacceptable that GPs and their staff should face violent or abusive behaviour as they go about providing vital health care services."

The plans to tackle violence also recommend giving added incentives to GPs who volunteer to retain potentially violent patients.

Lynda Wigley, assistant director of primary care services in North Yorkshire, said police stations would be used as a last resort but could provide more secure venues for violent patients.

She added: "If you are violent then you compromise the right to have treatment in a convenient location."

Tees Health Authority is also considering switching violent patients' appointments to police stations, but plans are at an early stage.