THE number of people convicted of attacks on NHS staff has increased 15-fold, according to the latest figures.

Department of Health statistics showed there were 759 successful prosecutions in England in 2004/2005, compared to only 51 in 2002/2003.

Action taken by the NHS Security Management Service (NHS SMS) on the problem since 2003 includes a national reporting scheme for tracking repeat offenders.

An agreement with the Association of Chief Police Officers, expected to be signed later this year, will commit both organisations to working more closely together to investigate and prosecute assailants.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "The huge increase in prosecutions demonstrates that we will take tough action against anyone who attacks them (health staff).

"Although I am pleased with this increase, it also illustrates the extent of the problem."

Keith Nicholles, a paramedic from the North-East Ambulance Service, who was punched by a patient who was later jailed for six months, said: "In the past we have been a soft touch - this will give us a bit of clout."

High-profile cases where the NHS SMS has taken action include that of a man given a life sentence in June for stabbing a staff nurse in the back at York Hospital last year.

Last June, Norman Hutchins, from York, received an anti-social behaviour order banning him from all NHS buildings in England and Wales without lawful excuse or prior permission.

He was jailed in January for three years.

Jim Gee, chief executive of NHS SMS, said: "We are determined to protect NHS staff from violence so that they can protect the public's health."