A CASUALTY department worker was in fear of her life when an abusive patient leapt at her over a reception desk.

Health bosses revealed details of the ordeal, at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, as they told of the alarming increase in the number of attacks on staff.

Across the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust area, there were 199 incidents in the past year, but hospital chiefs believe this does not give an accurate picture of day-to-day attacks.

A spokeswoman said: "We recognise that some incidents do go unreported, but we encourage staff to come forward as we won't tolerate violence or abuse against any of our staff."

In the latest incident, the accident and emergency worker was left terrified when a patient vaulted a high reception desk, but she was saved when a member of the public grabbed the attacker.

The trust's accident and emergency clinical nurse manager, Stephen Groves, said: "This member of the public acted quickly and responsibly to restrain him until security and police arrived.

"We don't have his name or address to track him and thank him. So we would just like to thank him for coming to the aid of our staff."