No one should be assaulted while doing their job.

And the public have the utmost respect for those who work on the frontline in often the most challenging jobs.

But while the introduction of body cameras for police has been a successful way to bring some prosecutions, the use of them in hospitals – as proposed by the Royal College of Nursing – is too far.

Of course our hardworking clinicians deserve to do their jobs without fear of abuse or harassment. And it is disgusting the number of assaults on healthcare professionals is on the rise.

But a medical procedure is a distinctly private experience, and not one which should be caught on camera.The presence of a camera could make those already apprehensive about undergoing a procedure more nervous, or cause them to reject the procedure all together.

Sarah Seeley, chairwoman of the RCN, rightly points out that attacks on emergency service staff have risen in recent years.

That is inexcusable and the law should come down hard on people who commit such crimes.

It is hoped that the introduction of new, tougher laws for those found guilty will act as enough of a deterrent.

And then it will not be necessary to intrude into the life of every patient, whose privacy may have been ruined because some patients cannot control themselves.