A 45-year-old man has appeared in court charged over an alleged assault on a GP in West Dunbartonshire.
Frank McDade, from Clydebank, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court where he was granted bail. He made no plea or declaration.
The alleged attack on the doctor happened at the Clydebank Health Centre. He was taken to the Western Infirmary in Glasgow and later discharged.
Tom Divers, the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “I am deeply shocked and very concerned about this.
“It is totally unacceptable that health professionals, who are committed to helping others, are assaulted while carrying out their day-to-day work.”
“This is an extremely serious matter and the circumstances surrounding the incident are being fully investigated.
“We are doing everything possible to support the other staff at the health centre.”
The incident comes after the SNP government pledged to include GPs in the scope of the 2005 Emergency Workers Act, which protects health staff.
Breaching the legislation carries a maximum penalty of nine months in jail and a £5,000 fine, and more serious assaults can still be prosecuted under common law.
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