A nurse suffered a deep wound to her neck when she was allegedly stabbed from behind by a patient while on duty at Royal Perth Hospital early yesterday.

Police claim the victim, aged in her 50s, was turned away from the male patient when she was attacked with the makeshift weapon about 1.40am.

She did not realise she had been stabbed until she saw blood coming from the wound and was treated at hospital overnight before being discharged.

Her 29-year-old alleged attacker was detained by hospital security before he was arrested and charged with aggravated assault of a public officer.

A family member of the nurse said increased security was needed for health workers who dealt with high-risk patients.

“This isn’t the first time that she has been assaulted, she’s been grabbed and pulled before,” he said. “There needs to be security on if there is a high-risk patient on the ward. What is it going to take, someone to die, for more resources to be put on.”

A Health Department spokesperson said anti-social and violent behaviour directed at staff, patients and visitors in WA hospitals was unacceptable and would not be tolerated in any circumstance.

“Frontline staff receive specialised training to quickly recognise and respond to the early signs of aggressive behaviour,” the spokesperson said.

“The Aggression, Prevention and Intervention program teaches staff strategies to manage conflict situations.

“All metropolitan hospitals are equipped with security measures appropriate to their needs, including guards, alarms and police resources where required to ensure the ongoing safety of staff, patients and visitors.”

Royal Perth Hospital reported 3,600 incidents of aggression last year compared to 4,002 in 2017.

Health Minister Roger Cook said frontline staff who work in public hospitals perform a vital role and should be treated with the utmost respect.

“My thoughts are with this nurse and her family as she recovers from her injuries,” Mr Cook said.

“Support is being provided to the nurse, as well as to the staff members who work on the ward where the incident took place.

“Acts of violence or aggression against frontline hospital staff are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Criminal proceedings have commenced and a man has been charged with assault.

“As Minister for Health and Mental Health I want to assure all the staff who work in our public hospitals that their care and safety is of paramount importance to me.”