A nurse who was left fighting for her life after being attacked at a hospital was stabbed with a pair of scissors, it has emerged.
The woman, in her 50s, suffered “life-changing” injuries in the attack at the Royal Oldham Hospital on Saturday night. A 37-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody.
Police were called at 11.30pm to reports of a stabbing at the hospital after a member of the public attacked a member of staff. It’s understood the incident happened in the A&E unit of the hospital allegedly because the patient became “angry” about having to wait.
A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesperson said initial enquiries had revealed that the nurse was stabbed with a pair of scissors. Detectives said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Detective Sergeant Craig Roters, of GMP, said: “This is a serious incident which has left a woman in a critical condition. Our thoughts are with her family and colleagues, and we will continue to support them throughout this investigation.
“The local community can expect to see an increase in police presence whilst we carry out enquiries, but they are also there to offer reassurance and answer any questions you may have. We know that news of this nature will come as a shock, and if you have any concerns or anything you would like to share, please speak to them.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said on X that nurses “should be able to care for patients without fear of violence.” His post added: “My thoughts are with the nurse and her loved ones following this horrific attack at The Royal Oldham Hospital. Nurses are the backbone of our NHS and should be able to care for patients without fear of violence.”
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger, said: “This attack on a nurse is truly shocking and our thoughts are with the victim, her family and colleagues. Nursing staff go to work to care for others and have every right to do so without the fear of violence. All employers have a duty to keep their staff safe and authorities must ensure those endangering healthcare professionals face the full force of the law.”
Heather Caudle, chief nursing officer at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal Oldham, said: “We are incredibly shocked and saddened by last night’s incident and our focus is on supporting the colleague involved and their family. Our thoughts are also with colleagues and patients who were there at the time of the incident and for whom this has been distressing and frightening.”
She added that they were working with police and all services at the hospital would remain open. In a social media post, Oldham West MP Jim McMahon, who is also a minister for local government, expressed his shock at what he described as “a senseless attack”.
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