TOI correspondent from London: An Indian-origin nurse has been stabbed by a patient whilst working at Royal OIdham Hospital and is in critical condition in hospital.
Achamma Cherian, a mother-of-two in her 50s, was stabbed with a pair of scissors in the acute medical unit of the hospital in Greater Manchester at 11.30 pm on Saturday by a member of the public.
She remains in hospital where she is receiving treatment for her injuries, which police describe as serious and “believed to be life-changing”. Rumon Haque (37) from Royton, Oldham, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and taken into police custody.
It is understood he attacked her whilst he was being assessed.
Haque was charged on Monday with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article, namely a pair of scissors. He appeared at Manchester magistrates court on Tuesday where he was remanded in custody following a brief hearing. He was not asked to enter any plea and will next appear at Manchester Crown Court on Feb 18.
One hospital worker told “The Sun”: “The nurse is a lovely lady. She is an active and popular member of the community in Oldham. People have been shocked by what happened, especially the nurses. Many nurses from India came here after Covid — around 400.”
Health secretary Wes Streeting said on X: “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.”
Greater Manchester Police said: “We are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this incident, and we do not believe there to be a threat to the wider public.”
The British Indian Nurses Association said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the brutal stabbing attack on one of our nurses. Our thoughts are with the victim, their loved ones, and all affected by this horrific incident. We want to reassure everyone that the staff involved is receiving the appropriate care and support.”
BINA’s chairman Marimouttou Coumarassamy told TOI: “We know the nurse is Indian-origin and that she is getting the appropriate care in hospital. We were told it is not racially-motivated.”
