DOCTORS in Hereford are warning they will take a zero tolerance approach to abuse and aggression towards surgery staff.

Hereford Medical Group, which runs Station Medical Centre, said there were patients which could be abusive or aggressive.

It warned any incident reported would be investigated, which could result in police action, and doctors and nurses could refuse treatment.

"The NHS in Herefordshire is taking a zero tolerance approach to abuse and aggression towards our staff and our patients," Hereford Medical Group said.

"Sadly, there are a very small number of people who can be abusive or aggressive which takes us away from caring for you.

"We will investigate any incidents that are reported to us, this could result in action being taken by the police.

"We have the right to refuse treatment and take further action against anyone who threatens the safety of our staff and our patients."

It came a new poll suggested medics who had battled coronavirus on the front line for more than a year and a half have faced a torrent of abuse from patients.

The British Medical Association (BMA) warned of a "rising level of abuse" towards GPs as it called on the public to be kind to NHS workers.

A new poll from the doctors' union found that more than a third of doctors have faced "recent abuse" from patients or those accompanying them to appointments.

This was even higher among GPs where half said they had been abused in some format during the last month.

The NHS said that it will "not tolerate" abuse or violence towards staff.