Doctors to 'strike off' vandals

Doctors believe youths are to blame for the vandalism

Doctors who believe youngsters are vandalising their surgery have told patients they will strike them off their register if their children are caught misbehaving.

In recent months the Rhos Health Centre, situated in the small village five miles from Wrexham, has come under attack.

"We've had windows smashed, they've been repaired and smashed again, we've had doors smashed in, the lighting's been brought down, there's been damage to vehicles in the car park and graffiti," said Dr Peter Saul who works in the practice.

Along with fellow partners, Dr Saul has decided to get tough.

It seems to happen throughout the health service Dr Peter Saul

Surveillance cameras have been installed to record any criminal activity and patients have been warned they could be refused treatment.

"We felt along with the trust that action had to be taken and this step was taken," he said.

"We believe that health care is a partnership - we need to treat patients with respect and patients need to treat doctors, nurses and other members of staff with respect.

"If one side of that partnership isn't working then our suggestion is you have to go elsewhere. If you trash the Trust's property then please go and get your health care somewhere else.

"I think it's mainly kids and they probably haven't got much to do - we can understand why it happens.

"There's not a lot as a health service we can do about it which is why we're having to resort to measures like this."

Dr Saul said the vandalism seems to be a sign of the times.

"It seems to happen throughout the health service, you get damage done in hospitals.

"At least we're not being physically attacked by patients," he said.

A spokesman for the North East Wales NHS Trust said that although they own the building they do not interfere with the running of the practice.