Hospitals crack down on violence

A campaign is under way to reduce acts of violence and aggression at hospitals in north Cumbria.

Latest figures show that there were 417 incidents of verbal and physical abuse at the area's two main hospitals in the past year.

The North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust said the vast majority of the incidents were patients abusing staff.

Health bosses are now urging staff to help develop security improvements as part of their "Respect" scheme.

Under the campaign, anyone who is prosecuted for violence at hospitals will also be reported to local pub and stadium watch schemes.

'Safe environment'

Hospitals will work more closely with police and also publicise the roles of their own security officials at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

Jonathan Wood, trust director of finance, said: "It is crucial that our staff, patients and visitors report incidents to us so that we can tackle this problem.

"Hospitals are for healthcare and we want to create an environment where all our staff, patients and visitors feel safe and protected."

The scheme is being backed by Cumbria Police.