"Doctors need a safe, quiet and dignified work environment to ensure the process of treating patients and saving lives will not be disturbed," says Ling Feng, a CPPCC member and famous neurosurgeon with Xuanwu Hospital in Beijing.

"When attacks against doctors and nurses happened, lots of people showed empathy toward the victims and scolded the attackers. But that is not enough. There must be effective legislation for public security authorities to follow, so that such violence will be punished, and medical personnel will be protected..

Yang Yunyan, director of Hubei province's health and family-planning commission, says the public should be more rational about the risks of medical procedures, while medical staff should also be more self-disciplined to establish a good image among the public.

But irrational violence against medical personnel should always be condemned, Yang says.

Some two sessions members say they believe the medical system is to be blamed for currently worsening doctor-patient relations, and medical personnel should play a more active role in medical reform.

Participants at the conference also discussed the establishment of a Doctor's Day to improve the public's respect for doctors.