Speaking after a visit to the hospital, the Minister said: "As a first step, security guards are now deployed in the A&E Department at night and I am sure their presence will be reassuring for staff, patients and visitors.

"I welcome the initial action taken to improve security and I have asked the Trust to advise me of the further steps proposed to protect, at all times, the personal safety of those admitted, visiting or working in the hospital.

"Any form of attack on healthcare staff is inexcusable and totally unacceptable. It is appalling to think that those who dedicate themselves to saving lives and to public service should be subject to verbal or physical abuse.

"Last year I launched a zero tolerance campaign on attacks on healthcare workers, and Health and Social Care Trusts are required to have a zero tolerance policy in operation."

He continued: "Perpetrators of violence against staff must face the full rigour of the law. My Department is currently giving active consideration to the creation of new legislation for Northern Ireland that will provide health and social care staff with additional protection from attack."

During his visit to the hospital, Mr McGimpsey also spent some time at the specialist dental unit, which provides dental care for special needs patients.

He said: "This specialist unit is a shining example of how a multi- disciplinary team working together can deliver a first class service to patients.

"I am pleased to see that the Trust has taken on one of the main recommendations from the Review of the Community Dental Service report and prioritised its dental services on providing care for special needs patients. "

Over the last two years the service at the Causeway Hospital has played an important role in addressing waiting time issues experienced by patients with learning disabilities in the Eastern Board area.

The dental service at Causeway hospital has assessed 81 patients from the EHSSB and provided care for 78 of these patients, thus significantly reducing waiting times in the Eastern Board area.