HOSPITAL bosses have approved a plan to ban violent and abusive patients from having treatment.

The board of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust gave the thumbs-up to the "red card" system, which bans for a year patients who have been consistently or seriously violent or abusive to staff.

Chairman Michael O'Riordan said the system was part of a zero tolerance policy the Trust had towards violence and abuse.

"We don't want our staff to be subjected to violence or abuse and this is a way to deal with it," he said.

"It's protecting other patients as well as staff, as many find it upsetting and stressful to see other patients being abusive."

The new rules apply to patients and visitors over 18 who are being unreasonable.

Separate rules are being set up to deal with children, youths and those who are unaware of what they are doing.

Posters and leaflets will be distributed around hospitals to make sure patients are aware of the tough new rules.