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Physical attacks against hospital staff are rising in the U.K. Britain's National Health Service (NHS) says violent assaults have increased by six per cent in the past year. There were 63,199 in 2012-13, up from 59,744 from the previous year. That's more than 173 assaults every day. Unions say these figures do not tell the whole story. A union spokeswoman said: "Sadly, this is only the tip of the iceberg as violence…remains an under-reported problem. The [government] cuts and…pressure on services are causing growing patient frustration."

Britain's Health Minister condemned the attacks. He said: "Any physical or verbal abuse against NHS staff is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated." He added: "It is outrageous that there have been so many physical assaults." He said there were ways to keep undesirable people out of hospitals. Hospitals can remove people not requiring treatment and prosecute them if they refuse to leave. Richard Hampton of the support group NHS Protect said NHS staff should expect to work in a safe environment, "free from violence and physical assault".