VIOLENT patients must attend a Newport police station from April - no matter where they live in Gwent - if they wish to see a GP.

In a bid to protect Gwent's family doctors and their staff from the threat posed by a tiny minority of violent patients, the health authority is setting up a 'secure surgery' at Maindee police station (pictured).

Patients barred from GP surgeries because of violence or threats will be seen by a doctor in a specially provided room, with police assistance just yards away outside the consultation room.

Such schemes - described as "long overdue" by the leader of Wales' GPs - are being introduced across the country.

Arrangements for Maindee are being finalised by the health authority and Gwent Police. Gwent's new Local Health Boards will meet the cost.

Superintendent Nigel Russell said the examination room in the cell area will be used once a week by a registered doctor to treat patients, with a police officer on duty outside.

"If these people need medical treatment, even just a routine prescription, they will be given a direct telephone number to contact and arrangements will be made for them to come to Maindee police station to see a registered GP," said Supt Russell.

"There will be a police officer present to ensure the safety of both parties, but not in the consultation room. I see it as a positive move."

Only 25 people in Gwent have been expelled from doctors' surgeries. But Dr Andrew Dearden, chairman of the British Medical Association's Welsh GPs' Committee, said such patients' actions can cause major disruption.

"The combination in lost hours and trauma to the GP, staff, and sometimes other patients, can be tremendous," he said.

"People have been physically assaulted, and threatened with objects such as a screwdriver.

"Taking these patients out of the system takes away the potential for such disruption and transfers the inconvenience to the patients who have caused trouble. "This scheme is overdue and the aim is to get every area of Wales covered."

Routine monitoring of violence against GPs is piecemeal, but a recent study into violence against professionals carried out by the Royal Holloway University of London revealed that one in ten GPs in the study area had been assaulted, one in four threatened with harm, and three out of four verbally abused.