Tony Blair has thrown his weight behind the T&A's "End the Abuse" campaign.

The Prime Minister branded violence against hospital staff "totally inexcusable".

He spoke out after we told him more than 400 staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke's Hospital had suffered violence or intimidation by patients or their families in the last six months.

We handed a copy of the T&A launching our campaign into 10 Downing Street.

Mr Blair - who was himself in hospital on Friday undergoing a minor heart operation - said: "We welcome the T&A's campaign.

"Violence or intimidation of NHS staff is totally inexcusable. These are people who dedicate their lives to helping patients by offering support and treatment to the sick and injured.

"Last year the NHS's Security Management Service launched a comprehensive plan to make sure the NHS does its utmost to protect staff.

"But it is important we all send out the signal to these people who might abuse our staff that their actions will not be tolerated."

The T&A launched our 'End the Abuse' campaign after revealing incidents of aggression against staff had doubled in just six years.

Doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff have been punched, threatened with broken bottles, had computers and mobile phones thrown at them and witnessed vandalism against hospital equipment.

Staff say the problem can be worst on Friday and Saturday evenings, after pubs, bars and nightclubs close with drunken violent patients coming in for treatment.

The campaign aims to make people stop and think about how they treat hospital staff and give them the respect they deserve as lifesavers.

Health Secretary Dr John Reid said: "Violence, harassment or intimidation against any member of NHS staff is utterly despicable and totally inexcusable.

"I want to send out a clear signal to those people who might abuse our staff that their actions will simply not be tolerated.

"Nurses, doctors and other staff dedicate their lives to helping patients by offering pain relief to the sick or injured.

"Any violent behaviour - be it verbal or physical - is reprehensible. NHS staff should be confident that their workplace is safe and secure at all times.

"I want to take this opportunity to offer my support to the Telegraph & Argus's campaign to end abuse of NHS staff and assure readers that we are working hard to stamp out this behaviour in all its forms."

David Jackson, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals, the NHS trust responsible for Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke's Hospital, said: "It is a great fillip to staff, as well as everyone involved in the campaign, that the Prime Minister has voiced his support for what we are all trying to achieve.

"Ensuring the safety of our staff, patients and visitors is one of the highest priorities of the local NHS, and it is great news that the campaign has today won this backing from the very highest of levels.

"As well as capturing the interest and backing of Downing Street, many local people and organisations have already rallied to support the campaign within the first week of its launch.

"We are encouraged by the strength of feeling that obviously exists within the community to end this abuse of NHS staff and are confident that this provides a positive platform for the campaign to go from strength-to strength, and complement the work that we are doing to bring about real improvements."