Key emergency services are backing harsher penalties for assaults on staff

The Protection for First Responders and Prison Officers Bill would create a new offence of injuring a first responder or prison officer - with a minimum six-month prison sentence.

Police Association President Chris Cahill told a select committee that being attacked or assaulted at work is not part of the job.

St John Taranaki manager Roger Blume says he's been threatened that if a patient dies, he will die - and has had a hammer swung at his head.