Nurse taken hostage by knife-wielding patient at Royal Melbourne Hospital

Date: April 13 2017

A nurse at Royal Melbourne Hospital was taken hostage by a patient armed with a knife in an event police are describing as a "siege".

The incident occurred in a surgery ward of the Parkville hospital on Monday evening about 6.30pm when a 60-year-old Wandin North man threatened two female staff members.

According to an email sent to radio station 3AW by one hospital employee, the patient took the nurse hostage in a toilet inside the hospital for a period of time before police were called to rescue the woman.

Both normal uniform police and "special ones with big guns and wearing black clothing" arrived at the scene, the employee who wanted to remain anonymous said.

The Wandin North man was arrested and remains in hospital under police guard.

The nurses who were involved in the incident have reportedly been left traumatised.

"This sort of violence in the hospital is so common and I wish it was reported more," the staff member told 3AW.

In a statement, Royal Melbourne Hospital confirmed an incident occurred on Monday night involving a patient. The hospital also reiterated the importance of staff wellbeing.

"Victoria Police were called to assist and the situation was diffused. Both the staff and patient involved were physically unharmed and the patient's medical treatment continues.

"Debriefing support was provided to the staff involved. Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our staff and patients."

Violence against frontline hospital staff is a well-publicised issue with the Health Services Union previously calling for hospital guards to be armed.

Common reports of violence include patients punching and assaulting hospital staff and threatening them with weapons and needles.

Last December, Queensland Health introduced body cameras, duress alarms and extra security for hospital staff with an estimated 3000 employees assaulted in the state each year.