Minister raises hopes for legal protection for NHS staff.

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Apr 2008

Jenny Randerson AM wants as much protection as possible for NHS staff

Welsh Lib Dem Spokesperson for Health Jenny Randerson AM has today welcomed comments from the Health Minister that she may negotiate an extension of legal protection for NHS staff from violence which is currently due to cover England only.

Speaking in the Health Committee today, the Minister did not reject the possibility of an amendment to the bill currently going through Westminster that would extend the protection to Wales.

Jenny Randerson said: "Despite WAG's previous Press Statement that Wales did not need the protection, I had a feeling that the Minister was uncomfortable about this. She made it clear today that discussions were underway with Westminster and left the door open for the possibility that an amendment would be possible."

"I think that her predecessor has many questions to answer as to how this terrible muddle came about in the first place but I strongly welcome any moves to give our NHS staff the full protection of legal sanctions."