Abusive patients may get ASBOs

18:54pm 7th June 2005 Each year there are about 40 violent attacks against staff at the Prince Charles Hospital, in Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales. But every weekend Accident and Emergency staff have to deal with at least one or two abusive patients. Abusers will have their medical record marked and may be given an ASBO under a new scheme. The "Your Card is Marked" scheme the results in a patient will receive a letter telling them of the action being taken after each incident. Once a patient has received three marks the case will be taken on by the local ASBO team and could end up in court.

Security Advisor for the Trust, Russell Hoare, said the scheme was designed to tackle anti-social behaviour which is not serious enough to involve the police.

No patient would be banned from the hospital under the terms of an ASBO and would always receive emergency treatment.
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