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An alleged attack by a man with a metal bar who was denied a hospital appointment left six people needing treatment for injuries including head lacerations, police said.
According to a Merseyside Police spokesman, a man had been detained under the Mental Health Act following his arrest at Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, where the incident took place on Tuesday.
Officers were called to the hospital shortly after midday following a report a man had become “increasingly agitated” when his request for an appointment was refused.
He was reported to have damaged a counter before assaulting several people, believed to include staff.
A force spokesman said six people required treatment in hospital and at walk-in centres for injuries including head lacerations, injuries to their arms and hands and bruising.
All are in a stable condition, the force said.
A 20-year-old man, who lives in Newton-le-Willows and is originally from Afghanistan, was arrested on suspicion of six counts of wounding, affray and criminal damage.
He was taken to a police station in Merseyside and later detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act, a force spokesman said.
Police said the metal bar used during the incident was recovered for forensic examination.
Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, for the Newton-le-Willows ward, said his father, who lives next door to the hospital, heard that someone was attacking staff and damaging the reception area.
He said: “I can only thank Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service for such a swift and efficient response, running into a scenario where danger is unknown.
“It’s a shock, but as always, we need to await the full facts without speculation.”
On Wednesday, the force said a scene remained in place at the community hospital and a mobile police station was on site.
Superintendent Sarah Rotherham said: “We understand that this incident would have caused concern for the local community and I hope the public feel reassured by the increased police presence.
“I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to one of our officers or contact their local police station.”