A GWENT AM has renewed his call for a red card scheme for the NHS in Wales - saying he is proud to support the Argus campaign for its introduction.

With new guidelines on the subject launched today in England by health secretary Alan Milburn, Monmouth AM David Davies says it is time for action on the issue in Wales.

The Argus wants a red card system - allowing NHS trusts to ban persistently violent patients for up to a year - in Wales.

Since June, hospitals across England have been encouraged to consider setting up red card schemes after the idea was endorsed by prime minister Tony Blair.

But Assembly health minister Jane Hutt wants a uniquely Welsh solution to the problem of violence against NHS staff.

And today, at a speech to the NHS confederation conference, she was set to announce that Wales - unlike England - will also reject private finance for new hospitals.

This means the Chepstow Community Hospital, one of the first PFI hospitals in Wales, could also be one of the last.

In Wales, a three-month review of staff safety issues in accident and emergency departments was ordered and a decision on its findings has been postponed until December.

But Mr Davies said a red card scheme is the way forward in tackling violence towards NHS staff, with the threat of a ban of up to 12 months for persistent and serious offenders.

"I have been proud to be associated with the Argus' campaign to protect hospital workers," said Mr Davies.

"A red card scheme would protect doctors and nurses from being subjected to unnecessary violence while trying to save lives.

"The new guidelines issued in England are an important step. A red card scheme also needs to be implemented in Wales, otherwise NHS staff here will be at an incredible disadvantage.

"I shall be tabling a statement of opinion at the Assembly in order to gain as much support as possible for the scheme."

A statement of opinion is a sort of on-line petition for AMs.

So far only Conservative AMs have expressed support for the red card scheme.

In her speech today, Ms Hutt is expected to confirm that two new hospitals, in the Rhondda and Porthmadog, will be entirely publicly funded, another break with England, where PFI hospitals are increasingly the norm.