Bosses at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital have taken steps to improve security for staff.

Patients are warned they could face fines or even prison if they lash out at nurses and other staff members.

The hospital is central to the Your Choice of Treatment campaign in Thanet.

It has been devised to reinforce the message that abuse towards health professionals will not be tolerated.

People under the influence of drink or drugs are specifically being targeted as statistics reveal 1,870 staff in east Kent have been physically assaulted by patients in the last three years.

The campaign’s message has been highly visible in Thanet. Vue cinema customers at all screenings have seen ads, a 20ft mobile billboard has been touring the district and there are giant billboards in place in the three main towns. Posters are also up in pubs, clubs and on ambulances.

~For full story, see the Thanet Extra, out on Wednesday.