A nurse was stabbed at Royal Oldham Hospital’s A&E on Saturday night and is in a critical condition with what are believed to be ‘life changing’ injuries. A 37-year-old man has been arrested
A nurse was brutally stabbed by a patient reportedly angered by waiting times at Royal Oldham Hospital’s A&E.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday night around 11.30pm, has left the female staff member in a critical state, suffering from what are feared to be “life changing” injuries. Police have arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. According to MailOnline, the violent outburst was sparked by the assailant’s frustration over delays in being seen at the hospital’s emergency department.
An eyewitness said: “It’s terrible – there was a row with a patient. I think they became angry because they had to wait to be seen. It’s scary.”
Another person added: “There was a row with a patient. It just got out of hand but it wasn’t a case of the patient going berserk. It was just a disagreement that can happen late at night. It happens all the time but it’s shocking the nurse was attacked.”
Heather Caudle, chief nursing officer at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the Royal Oldham Hospital, said: “We are incredibly shocked and saddened by last night’s incident and our focus is on supporting the colleague involved and their family,” reports the Mirror.
She continued: “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. We will continue to support Greater Manchester Police with their inquiries. All services at The Royal Oldham Hospital remain open.”
Detective Sergeant Craig Roters from Greater Manchester Police’s Oldham district has spoken out about the grave incident, saying: “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 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 took to social media to express his concern for the nurse and her family after the appalling assault at The Royal Oldham Hospital.
He tweeted: “Nurses are the backbone of our NHS and should be able to care for patients without fear of violence. We’re in touch with the Trust and will update further as we can.”