A YORK nurses' leader today welcomed a pioneering court order banning a pervert from all NHS premises across the country - but called for the courts to do more to protect staff.

Magistrates in the city made the ground-breaking interim antisocial behaviour order after hearing how Norman Hutchins, 53, of Rowntree Avenue, Clifton, caused harassment, embarrassment and distress to NHS staff up and down the country .

The court heard about a catalogue of actions by Hutchins, over the past 15 to 16 years, which amounted to antisocial behaviour towards NHS staff.

Magistrates were told that Hutchins had a fetish for surgical masks and had contacted a number of suppliers to get goods sent to his home.

He also visited dentists and GPs and asked for masks. He sometimes claimed he was in a stage production or charity stage event.

Today Edna Mulhearn, York branch secretary of public service union Unison, said nurses had been a soft target for far too long.

"For years assaults and harassment were just seen as part of the job," she said. "Now the courts are sending out a message that it will not be tolerated.

"Courts need to use their powers more frequently and dole out stiffer sentences. They need to be strong and deal with offenders adequately, sending out a message that you will be punished and perhaps sent to prison if you assault nurses."

She spoke out as Health Secretary Dr John Reid welcomed the order against Hutchins.

He said: "I would like to congratulate all of those involved in getting this first antisocial behaviour order.

"We will not tolerate violence against NHS staff and this is just one of the many steps we are taking to ensure NHS staff safety."

Mrs Mulhearn said York Hospital operated a "zero tolerance" policy, calling the police after any incident of harassment. The culprit could be removed from the hospital. Warning notices are placed around the hospital and nurses can ring security guards for assistance if they feel they are in danger.

She said: "York Hospital is very proactive and does as much as it can.

"Incidences of assault and harassment have a very negative effect on patients and staff. Patients can be frightened if they see staff being assaulted."

Jim Easton, the chief executive of the York Hospitals Trust, said of the Hutchins case: "This is an exceptional case. This is someone who for a long period, and not just in York , up and down the country in the NHS, has caused nuisance, problems for staff, concerns for other patients.

"We have needed to take this serious action today to protect the wider community and our staff."

Bill Darling, the chair of NHS Security Management Service, which helped to bring the order, said: "We are determined to protect NHS staff and professionals from the threat of violence and abuse. Violence against the NHS is completely unacceptable, whatever the circumstances".

Updated: 11:14 Thursday, June 03, 2004