A hospital nurse was fighting for her life tonight after being stabbed in a “senseless attack”, allegedly by a patient who became “angry” at having to wait.
The nurse, a woman in her 50s, was attacked while working in an accident and emergency unit and suffered “serious” injuries that are believed to be “life-changing”, police said.
The “distressing and terrifying” attack occurred at Royal Oldham Hospital, Greater Manchester, and the attacker is said to have used a “cutting instrument” which was not a knife, an officer said.
Greater Manchester Police said a 37-year-old man was “quickly arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder”.
Labor MP Jim McMahon, who represents Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, said: “We are all shocked by the senseless attack on a nurse in the emergency department at Royal Oldham Hospital.
“Our thoughts are with the nurse, family and friends and we wish a full recovery.”
A nurse at the hospital said the attack occurred after a patient became angry because of how long he had been waiting to be seen.
She said: “It’s terrible, there was a fight with a patient.” I think they were angry because they had to wait to be seen. It’s scary.’
Royal Oldham Hospital, Greater Manchester, where a nurse was stabbed in a ‘senseless attack’

The nurse, a woman in her 50s, was attacked while working in an emergency unit
Speaking outside the hospital, another nurse said: “There was a fight with a patient. It just got out of hand, but it wasn’t a case of the patient going crazy.
‘It was simply a disagreement that can happen late at night. “It happens all the time, but it’s shocking that the nurse was attacked.”
Local resident Mike Lawton, 58, who lives near the hospital, said: “It’s shocking.” Nurses work so many hours and then something like this happens.’
The father-of-two added: “I hope he’s okay.”
Royal Oldham Hospital said it was “shocked and saddened” by the attack which occurred at around 11.30pm on Saturday.
The hospital also said its focus was on supporting the worker involved and their family, adding that all services remain open.
Heather Caudle, chief nurse at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Royal Oldham, said last night: “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 the colleagues and patients who were there at the time of the incident and for whom this has been distressing and terrifying.
“We will continue to support Greater Manchester Police with their investigations. All services at Royal Oldham Hospital remain open.”
Last night Greater Manchester Police said the suspect remained in police custody.

The ‘distressing and terrifying’ attack happened at Royal Oldham Hospital (pictured)
Detective Sergeant Craig Roters said: “This is a serious incident which has left a woman in a critical condition.”
“Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues, and we will continue to support them throughout this investigation.”
Greater Manchester Police said there would be an “increased presence” around the hospital while officers carried out their investigations and to offer “reassurance”.
He added: “Although this investigation is in the early stages, we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to this incident and do not believe there is a threat to the general public.”