THE banning of a York man from all NHS establishments in the country has been widely welcomed within the health service.

It is easy to see why.

People who work on the frontline in the NHS are following a vocation. They do the job because they want to help patients and make a difference to people, often when they are at their most exposed and vulnerable.

Nurses, doctors and other health service workers should not have to suffer assaults and violence. They may be there to offer aid, but they deserve the best protection from potentially troublesome or violent patients.

The bizarre actions of Norman Hutchins has led to him being temporarily banned from all NHS establishments in England and Wales. Magistrates yesterday made an interim antisocial behaviour order following behaviour towards health staff over many years.

While the allegations against Hutchins are unusual, his case does highlight the need to protect both staff and patients. Security has to be paramount, yet a hospital cannot become a fortress. New antisocial legislation offers an alternative approach.

Those publicly welcoming the banning order include the Health Secretary John Reid, who says the Government will not tolerate violence against NHS staff. Local managers, including Jim Easton, the chief executive of York Hospitals Trust, also praised the move. Mr Easton, while accepting that this was an exceptional case, said the serious action had been taken "to protect the wider community and our staff".

The antisocial order certainly sends out the right signals that violence against NHS staff cannot be tolerated.

While the case against Hutchins has yet to be fully concluded, there are wider lessons to be learned here.

Antisocial behaviour spoils life for so many people in so many ways. Bold moves to stamp it out are only to be welcomed.

Updated: 10:10 Thursday, June 03, 2004