David Ruffley MP has today spoken of his concern for the region's hard working NHS staff following the publication of new House of Commons figures which reveal that there were 2,508 attacks on NHS staff in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk during 2005/06.

This was the tenth highest level of attacks in the whole of the Country and an increase of 7 percent on the previous year.

David said:

'These new House of Commons figures make alarming reading. Over 2,500 hard working nurses, doctors and support staff in the East Anglia were physically attacked during 2005/06.

'This is the tenth highest level in the Country and an increase of 7 percent on the previous year.

'One attack on a member of our hardworking NHS staff is one too many and I will be making enquiries at the highest level to establish just what is being done to protect staff at the region's hospitals.

'These staff members should not expect to be at threat- they are there for the benefit of us all and we must do our utmost to ensure that they are safe in their workplace.

'I have taken the matter up with the Neil McKay, Chief Executive of the East of England Strategic Health Authority, and asked precisely what is being done to protect our NHS staff. I will also be tabling further House of Commons questions to establish what the situation is in our local hospitals.'