The increase is despite new measures which have been introduced by three primary care trusts to tackle violence and aggression against health workers.

Offenders are being told if they assault members of staff then the police will be contacted and they may be removed from their GP's list.

However, the primary care trust does still have an obligation to treat them.

North Eastern Derbyshire NHS Trust also said it accepts that some patients may wish to complain about the standards of care that they receive.

But, officials said this cannot be done through violent or aggressive behaviour.