A RECORD number of staff at the Royal Bolton Hospital are being attacked by patients and their families.

Figures revealed as part of the hospital's annual staff survey show that one in 10 doctors, nurses and other members were punched, kicked, slapped or spat at between April, 2005, and March, 2006.

The statistics mark an increase of one per cent on the same figures for 2004/06. Of a sample 459 staff questioned at the hospital, 50 said they had been victims of violence.

Hospital chiefs have vowed to do all they can to ensure a zero tolerance policy with regard to attacks on staff.

Nicky Elliott, head of human resources at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said: "We have run a number of sessions with staff about what their rights are, like being able to withdraw treatment from patients.

"We are encouraging staff to report any incidents of abuse, be it physical or verbal, so they can be dealt with."

The hospital is already training its 2,500 staff to handle conflict and abuse.

There is also a police base in the accident and emergency department, which has been there since 2002, ensuring officers can investigate serious incidents promptly.

The number of security guards at the hospital has increased and they have all been issued with stab vests in case of an attack.

Hospital union UNISON has warned that unless the problem is tackled urgently, NHS staff could feel they have no option but to leave the profession.

Communications officer, Damian Isherwood said: "UNISON welcomes any initiative by the Trust to prevent any form of violence against staff or patients. It is understandable that patients, families and friends are anxious when coming into hospital and in some cases will have the right to be angry, but they don't have the right to be violent.

Despite the findings of the report, Janet Hackin, a sister in accident and emergency, claims incidents of abuse are falling in casualty.

She said: "Staff in accident and emergency think that, regrettably, some patients and their relatives are still aggressive towards them.

"This aggression is often fuelled by alcohol or drugs."

Although there has been a rise in physical assaults, the amount of verbal abuse from patients and their relatives has fallen. New figures show 25 per cent of staff (125) were verbally abused, compared to 28 per cent for the previous period.

Last year the Royal Bolton Hospital was ranked in the worst 20 per cent of the country for abuse of staff in a survey carried out by the Royal College of Nursing.

There were 122 incidents during 2004 of staff being attacked or verbally abused by patients 21 occurred in accident and emergency and alcohol was often blamed as a contributing factor.

Cllr Andy Morgan, Chairman of Bolton Council's health scrutiny committee, backed hospital plans for a zero tolerance approach.

He said: "We will support any measures that the hospital management take to prosecute and prevent members of the public attacking our NHS staff. "

Last week it was revealed hospital bosses planned to build a specialist children's accident and emergency, costing more than £1 million, in a bid to keep youngsters away from drunk and abusive patients.