LEIGHTON Hospital is taking a stand against physical violence and attacks on staff by introducing a larger police presence in the grounds of the building.

Today, Wednesday, health minister Lord Philip Hunt is to officially open the hospital's own dedicated police office.

The new larger office is an expansion of an initiative started in 1998 by Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust and Cheshire Constabulary to establish a part time police presence at Leighton Hospital via a small mobile office near the Accident and Emergency unit.

The scheme has now been running for three years and is the most successful measure to date in reducing the number of assaults on staff and patients at the A and E department.

The idea behind the scheme was to provide a base for police officers serving the West End area of Crewe and to provide a visible police presence at the hospital.

The reduction of assaults has also resulted in a number of additional benefits including a reduction in the levels of sick leave among staff due to anxiety, depression and physical abuse, increased staff morale and an increase in the confidence of patients visiting the department late at night and at weekends.

The success of the scheme, which has seen a reduction in assaults of 60 per cent, has led to it becoming a permanent fixture and the new dedicated office will ensure the expanded police presence can be adequately accommodated.

ghellam@guardiangrp.co.uk