PATIENTS causing trouble in local hospitals should be ‘weeded’ out, a Balmoral councillor has said.

Alliance party member Tom Ekin was speaking after figures revealed the PSNI were called to the City Hospital more than any other hospital in the North of Ireland last year.

In information given to Health Minister Edwin Poots it emerged that police attended a total of 40 incidents at the City Hospital between the period of October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.

The statistics stated there were 10 verbal incidents and 30 physical incidents in the 12 month period at the South Belfast hospital.

Tom Ekin, said: “We need to find a mechanism to have these people kept away.

“They are coming into hospitals drunk and acting in a violent way. They need to be weeded out.

“There is absolutely no reason as to why medical staff who are rendering a service should have to put up with people like this.”

He continued: “They are putting people in danger and are holding patients back who are genuinely sick and need medical attention.

“I feel very strongly that these people should be dealt with accordingly. Why should taxpayers who need genuine help be put in jeopardy for the sake of people like this.”

Over the 18 hospitals analysed, the City Hospital, the Royal and the Mater had the most recorded incidents.

The Royal had a total of 37 incidents, made up of 19 verbal attacks and 18 physical attacks and the Mater had 21 incidents consisting of 13 verbal attacks and eight physical attacks.