Man charged after doctor stabbing

Dr Jackson was attacked at her surgery in Glasgow's west end

A 62-year-old man has been arrested after a doctor was stabbed at work in her surgery.

Dr Helen Jackson, 56, was assaulted at the practice in Hyndland Road, in the west end of Glasgow, at about 0950 BST, Strathclyde Police said.

She was taken to the city's Western Infirmary after receiving wounds to her body. Her condition was later described as "stable".

The man is expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday.

Local people expressed shock when they heard about the incident.

One elderly resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It is really quite frightening to think that something like this could happen in such a normally nice area. No-one could believe it when they were first told."

Despite the incident in the morning, the surgery was open to patients as normal in the afternoon.

A strong message must be sent that violence will not be tolerated and strict sentences should apply Dr Dean Marshall, BMA in Scotland

Colleagues have sent a message of support to Dr Jackson and her fellow practitioners.

Dr Dean Marshall, chairman of the British Medical Association's Scottish General Practitioners Committee, said: "This is appalling news. It is completely unacceptable that doctors providing care and treatment to patients should be subject to such an attack.

"Every day across Scotland, GPs put themselves at risk either in their surgery or when visiting patients at home.

"A strong message must be sent that violence will not be tolerated and strict sentences should apply."

Dr Marshall said the Emergency Workers Act, which was brought in to protect many staff in medical and essential services, should be extended to GPs "to provide the same levels of protection as their hospital-based colleagues".