Time and again this newspaper, in support of the End the Abuse campaign, has hammered home the message that health workers should not have to put up with physical or verbal attacks in the workplace.

They are professionals whose job and, indeed, in many cases vocation is to treat ill-health and alleviate pain. It is a difficult enough job in the best of circumstances. They should not expect to be punched, kicked or shouted at by patients in Accident and Emergency departments or in a GP surgery. Nor should fellow patients be expected to put up with witnessing alarming behaviour of this sort when they go along to seek treatment for their own health problems.

It is something that society as a whole should not tolerate. The British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing, whose members are too often on the receiving end of abusive behaviour, agree with that - as well they might, with the most recent Healthcare Commission staff survey reporting that 14 per cent of NHS staff were physically attacked in 2004 while a further 27 per cent were bullied or harassed by patients or their relatives.

Now we are delighted to be able to report that the Government has taken notice of the voices calling for strong action to end this appalling state of affairs and is to introduce a "zero tolerance" approach throughout the health service backed by fines of up to £1,000.

Let's hope this has the effect of getting abuse down to a minimal level, if not cutting it out completely.