Christchurch Hospital may bolster its security, following new figures which show almost 1200 staff have been physically assaulted by patients in the past two years.
Last financial year, 670 assaults took place on staff and there were almost 280 instances of verbal abuse or threats.
Already this financial year, almost 530 staff have been assaulted, and more than 310 verbally abused or threatened.
Christchurch Hospital Medical Staff Association chairman Ruth Spearing says staff are angry and frustrated by the abuse and if the trent continues the hospital will struggle to attract staff.
Christchurch Hospital is reviewing security.
