HOSPITAL staff in Winchester are worried about the number of attacks on them by patients and their families, according to a survey.

The concern was highlighted in a nationwide survey of NHS staff, and it puts the Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust in the worst 20 per cent, in terms of attacks on staff.

Other concerns raised at a meeting of the Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Trust, included job-related accidents, long working hours, and a lack of leadership from senior managers.

The data compared the responses given by around 1,500 employees at the trust, which runs the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, with the national average.

The trust was in the top 20 per cent in terms of providing staff with regular performance reviews and health and safety training.

The low number of employees witnessing serious mistakes was also praised.

However, around 15 per cent of staff said they had been the victim of attacks within the past 12 months.

Vicki Fletcher, the trust's human resources director, told the meeting on Wednesday she was "surprised" by the figures.

She said the trust encouraged staff to report attacks, but said many of them accepted it as part of the job.

The survey also placed the trust in the worst 20 per cent for staff working too long and suffering job-related injuries.

Thirty five per cent said they suffered stress, and 52 per cent said they were overworked.

The survey data is being sent to the Department of Health and the Healthcare Commission, which determines the annual star rating for NHS trusts.