Anyone who has recently visited an accident and emergency unit must be aware of the tremendous pressures on staff. Friend is right to say that as well as modernising the processes in accident and emergency units, we must recognise that our most valuable asset is the staff. Last October, we published a joint initiative with other Departments to support all hospitals in preventing violence, including attacks on staff. I recently visited Sandwell health authority, which has launched a successful anti-violence initiative. One of the most pleasing aspects was the announcement by the chair of the local bench that an assault on national health service staff would be considered an aggravating factor by magistrates sentencing in that area.
Time is up.
I hope that the hon. Twice last week after the Prime Minister's statement on health, I raised a point of order about inaccuracies in the details that he gave. For example, he said that 7.6 per cent. A Sunday newspaper confirmed that that figure was incorrect. It is disgraceful that figures are corrected in Sunday newspapers while the House is treated disdainfully.