Violent attacks on nurses at the Gold Coast Hospital seem to be on the rise, despite boosted security measures.

Almost 600 were targeted last year, despite new laws increasing the penalty for assault of healthcare workers.

There've been 236 attacks involving nurses already this year, revealing attacks are becoming more frequent, despite CCTV cameras installed in March.

Protective Services Officers are now being trained and will be rolled out to nurses and other staff in high-risk areas such as emergency and mental health departments.

Health Minister Paul Lucas said Queensland Health had a zero tolerance policy for violence in its workplaces and had provided security officers, duress alarms, and training.

But Mudgeeraba LNP MP Ros Bates said the measures clearly aren't working.