Two arrested after hospital staff attacked - days after nurse stabbed at Greater Manchester hospital

Two people have been arrested after hospital staff were attacked, just days after a nurse was stabbed at another Greater Manchester hospital.

A 33-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman came into Rochdale Infirmary ‘asking for mental health help’ early this morning (Tuesday, January 14), Greater Manchester Police has confirmed. The woman ‘started damaging the hospital and assaulted security staff’, police told the Manchester Evening News.

Police rushed to the scene, believed to be inside the hospital’s urgent care department. Both the man and woman were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, with the man also being arrested on suspicion of committing a public order offence.

A GMP spokesperson said: “A 33-year-old man and 39-year-old woman came into the hospital asking for mental health help. The female started damaging the hospital and assaulted security staff.

“The man and woman were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. The male was also arrested on suspicion of public order offence.”

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which operates both the Rochdale and Oldham hospitals, has been contacted for comment.

The incident comes just days after a nurse was stabbed at the Royal Oldham Hospital. Roman Haque, 37, is alleged to have stabbed the staff member at around 11.30pm on Saturday night (January 11). The alleged victim, who is in her fifties, has been named in court documents as Achamma Cherian.

‌Haque, of Yasmin Gardens, Oldham, is charged with her attempted murder, as well as the possession of a bladed article, namely a pair of scissors, at the hospital. This morning, he appeared in the dock at Manchester Magistrates Court.

Dressed in a grey tracksuit top and bottoms, he spoke only to confirm his