The figures, which relate to a period between April 2008 and March this year, is the fourth highest in Greater Manchester and more than both Salford Royal and Royal Bolton hospitals.

Across the region a shocking 2,500 health workers were attacked in the same period – but only 58 people have been prosecuted.

The problem is greatest at mental health trusts, which accounted for more than three-quarters of the assaults.

Wigan's health bosses hope the borough's hospitals will get safer.
New sections of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act will come into force on November 30 and will tackle the problems of nuisance and disturbance on NHS property.

This will increase hospital security staff's powers and create a safer working environment for Wigan, Wrightington and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust staff.

Ian Martin, local security management specialist (LSMS) for the trust, said: "We will not shrink from utilising these powers when an appropriate situation identifies itself as part of our ongoing campaign to eliminate violent behaviour towards our staff."

Regionally, North West Ambulance Service emergency care staff were subjected to 169 attacks, although the service led the way in prosecutions by bringing 41 cases to court in the same period.

The ambulance service recorded 78 attacks in Greater Manchester, 68 in Cheshire and Merseyside and 23 in Lancashire and Cumbria.

Nationally, there were 54,758 attacks on NHS staff compared to 55,993 the previous year.

Richard Hampton, head of NHS security management, said: "We are supporting staff through a network of professionally trained local security management specialists."

Karen Jennings, head of health at Unison, said: "The number of attacks on NHS workers is still too high. People who devote their lives to caring for others should not be subjected to violence."