Nurses at the Gold Coast Hospital are calling on the State Government to protect them from escalating violence.

Mudgeeraba MP and registered nurse Ros Bates called on the Bligh Government to install permanent police officers in hospitals.

Ms bates questioned why there are Police Beats at shopping centres but not hospitals where lmost one medical professional was assaulted a day on the Gold Coast last year, mostly in hospital emergency departments.

At least 300 nurses and doctors were physically assaulted, and 12 attacks involved weapons.

Ms Bates said security guards were in most emergency departments, but full-time police would deter threatening behaviour.

For more on this story, please visit goldcoast.com.au