A hospital manager has hit out at the lack of respect shown today for nurses and doctors.

Gaving Anderson, manager of the accident and emergency unit at Airedale Hospital, told of how medical staff are regularly harassed or threatened by difficult and drunken patients, especially at weekends.

Mr Anderson, who is also a senior nurse at the Steeton hospital, spoke out following a survey by the Royal College of Nursing, which suggested that 80 per cent of nurses in accident and emergency nationally reported harassment or an assault in the past year.

More than one in four of the 3,000 nurses surveyed said they had been physically attacked. The Government this week brought in new plans to fine people £1,000 if they assault or threaten nurses.

Airedale Hospital brought in a high-tech, infrared security system two years ago for staff after a male nurse was headbutted by a female patient. All staff members in accident and emergency, including receptionists, are equipped with personal alarms which can be activated by either pressing a button or pulling off the end of the alarm.

More than 30 receivers located around the ward are able to detect the rays and alert security staff.

Staff on the physicatric wards as well as at the out of hours GP centre are also alarmed.

Mr Anderson said: "It is a regular occurrence, particularly over the weekend period, that our doctors, nurses and receptionists will have to deal with a small number of difficult patients or visitors.

"We make sure our staff are trained in how to remove themselves safely from such incidents."

He added: "We had to get the Pinpoint security system installed after acts of aggression towards staff. The system will pinpoint their exact location to ensure that they receive speedy help and support.

"People don't seem to have the same kind of respect that there used to be for nurses and doctors, and can get abusive.

"In future we are also looking to use conflict resolution training to make sure our staff have all the skills possible to deal with difficult patients or members of the public."

On Tuesday Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt gave details of a "zero tolerance" approach to the problem of violence against NHS staff.

Patients or visitors who abuse staff will face fines of up to £1,000 under new proposals.