A man has been arrested after a nurse was stabbed in the A&E department of a hospital.
The 37-year-old was detained after the nurse, a woman in her 50s, was left in a critical condition after being stabbed at the Royal Oldham Hospital on Saturday night.
Greater Manchester Police said it is not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
The trust that overseas the hospital said it was “shocked and saddened” by the incident and is supporting the worker involved and their family, while local MP Jim McMahon described it as a “senseless attack”.
Here is what we know about the incident.
What we know
Greater Manchester Police were called to Royal Oldham Hospital at about 11.30pm on Saturday 11 January to reports of a stabbing.
The force said it was believed that a member of the public attacked a member of staff at the hospital.
It said the victim, a woman in her 50s – who is believed to be a nurse at the hospital – suffered serious injuries. She remains in hospital for treatment, the force said the following day. Her injuries are believed to be life changing.
A 37-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in police custody.
The trust that runs the hospital said it was shocked by the incident. (Stock image: Getty)
Detective Sergeant Craig Roters, from Greater Manchester Police, 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 inquiries, 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.”
Chief nursing officer at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Heather Caudle, 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.
“We will continue to support Greater Manchester Police with their inquiries.
“All services at The Royal Oldham Hospital remain open.”
Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, posted on Facebook saying: “We are all shocked at the senseless attack on a nurse in the A&E department of the Royal Oldham Hospital.
“Our thoughts are with the nurse, family and friends as we wish a full recovery.”
What we don’t know
The identity of the nurse involved has so far not been revealed, nor have the exact nature of the injuries suffered in the attack.
Police said it is believed a member of the public attacked the member of staff with a bladed article or sharp instrument which was not a knife but have not given any more details on the circumstances of the incident.
The motivation for the alleged attack or the identity of the perpetrator has also not been revealed. On Sunday night the man arrested in relation to the incident remained in custody.