GP's receptionists, mostly female, can suffer from abuse

A so-called 'secure surgery' is being set up at Maindee police station for around 25 people, from the old Gwent area, who have been expelled from GP lists.

People will be seen once a week by a GP in a specially-provided room with a police officer stationed outside the door.

"We are only talking about a small number of people," said Dr Greg Graham, member of the Gwent Local Medical Committee.

"Most of the people don't tend to need a lot of medical attention, they tend to be young males, not disabled people in their 60s or 70s," he said.

'Sign of the times'

Dr Graham, a GP at Pontypool's Trosnant Lodge, added: "Just as teachers get abuse and policemen, doctors and their staff get abused as well - it's a sign of the times."

Dr Graham's reception area will have a bullet-proof screen fitted next week because of a recent verbal attack on a member of staff.

"We have a duty of care and have to do something about it.

"This is not just people who have been a little angry - the doctor or the staff have felt it is sufficient to have phoned the police.

"In order for a patient to qualify - if that is the right word - the person would have to have been pretty much arrested," he added.

Catchment area

Maindee's list of patients would draw from Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Newport, Monmouthshire and Caerphilly.

Transport problems for patients are being tackled with an alternative 'secure surgery' being looked at for Pontypridd.

Gwent Community Health Council chief officer Peter Johns said the new system is a "necessary evil".

"It is only for patents who have made it impossible to be treated safely in their own GP practice, it is self-inflicted.

"We are in support of this, albeit it is not an ideal situation for everyone," he added.

Mr Johns said his concern was that people were not put on the Maindee list "willy-nilly".

He has asked for staff training at GP's surgeries so potential confrontations are minimised.

Anyone who is expelled off a doctor's list can have their situation reviewed after a year.

They may be returned to another doctor's list in their community, said Dr Graham.