Man charged with attempted murder after nurse stabbed at Oldham hospital | UK news

A man has been charged with attempting to murder a nurse who suffered “life-changing” injuries after being stabbed in a hospital’s acute medicine ward.

The healthcare worker, who has not been named, remains in a critical condition after the attack at the Royal Oldham hospital in Greater Manchester on Saturday night.

Police said a 37-year-old man, Rumon Haque, had been charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. He has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear at Manchester magistrates court on Tuesday.

Heather Caudle, the chief nursing officer at Northern Care Alliance NHS foundation trust, which oversees the Royal Oldham hospital, said staff were “incredibly shocked and saddened” by the incident.

The nurse is alleged to have been attacked with a pair of scissors in the hospital’s unit at about 11.30pm on Saturday, usually one of its busiest periods.

Det Supt Matt Walker, from Greater Manchester police, said: “Our thoughts are with the nurse as she continues to receive treatment in hospital for her injuries, and our priority remains supporting her, her family, and her colleagues at this difficult time.

“We continue to work closely with our NHS colleagues to support anyone who has been affected by this incident.”

Caudle said: “Our focus is on supporting the colleague involved and their family,” she said. “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, the MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, said he wished the nurse a full recovery. “Our thoughts are with the nurse, family and friends as we wish a full recovery,” he said.

Nursing leaders have raised the alarm about a growing level of abuse faced by NHS staff. An NHS staff survey in 2023 found that 13.7% of employees had experienced at least one incident of physical violence in the past year. Among ambulance staff, this figure rose to 27.6%.