Accident and emergency departments should be places where people who are seriously hurt go to get help.

All too often, nurses and other hospital workers find they are abused or even assaulted by violent patients and their friends.

It shouldn't happen and some hospital trusts, including Worthing and Southlands, have launched a policy of zero tolerance on attacks.

Staff are being trained on how to deal with people who are, understandably, suffering from stress as well as their physical complaints.

They also know what to do about patients who are high on either drink or drugs, which, regrettably, is becoming increasingly common.

Staff are also being encouraged to report all incidents and to let other departments know when they are to receive a patient who is also a troublemaker.

Hospitals, including the Royal Sussex County in Brighton, have set up security cameras and a link to the police station.

They should not hesitate to call the police and prosecute in the worst cases of abuse and violence.

Staff should also not be afraid to bar patients from treatment where they are regularly abusing and assaulting staff.

Hospitals should be for making patients better, not for allowing assaults, which mean staff also need medical treatment.