Violence against hospital staff has prompted a hospital trust to ignite a 'zero-tolerance' awareness campaign.

The Staff Here To Help Not Be Hurt initiative was triggered after Medway Maritime Hospital workers reported 1,800 incidents of abuse in three years.

James Devine, chief executive officer of Medway Foundation Trust, welcomed the drive as NHS figures reveal 14% of workers suffered abuse in the past 12 months.

Staff are suffering threats of violence, abuse, and harassment

"Our staff work incredibly hard to provide the very best of care to our communities; they should never have to work in an environment where they fear for their own safety," he said.

"I hope this campaign acts as a reminder to members of the public that it is completely unacceptable for our staff to be subject to any form of violence or aggression."

Security boss Ariel Kowalaszek kick-started the awareness campaign with a warning to potential offenders.

"The vast majority of the general public treat our staff with respect and are extremely grateful for the care they receive," he said.

"However, we have a zero tolerance policy for those individuals who do not.

"If a member of the public commits physical or racially aggravated assault, they will be immediately excluded from our site and we will always seek police prosecution" - Ariel Kowalaszek

"If a member of the public commits physical or racially aggravated assault, they will be immediately excluded from our site and we will always seek police prosecution.

"Repeat offenders of lesser offences will also be excluded."

The campaign forms one part of a wider project being undertaken to improve staff safety, a spokesman said.

In one of the most shocking acts of violence, a hospital patient went on the rampage last year attacking several people including a pregnant nurse.

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