A nurse has been treated for injuries after being assaulted by a patient at a regional WA hospital last night.
WA Health authorities have confirmed the assault.
It's understood the staff member at Bunbury Regional Hospital required staples in the emergency department.
In the wake of the incident, Bunbury Regional Hospital director Jeff Calver said staff safety was the hospital's top priority.
"While this person is recovering well, this has undoubtedly been a highly traumatic event for them, and they are being closely supported by the WA Country Health Service," he said.
"Staff at Bunbury Regional Hospital perform a vital role and should be treated with the utmost respect."
WA Police have not confirmed if they will be launching an investigation or pressing charges.
A system under pressure
The WA Country Health Service has insisted staffing levels at the hospital were "more than appropriate" at the time of the incident.
Australian Medical Association WA president Mark Duncan-Smith raised concerns last week about ambulance ramping and overcrowded emergency departments and said that the state's hospitals were almost at 100 per cent capacity.
A week ago, a woman in her 70s died at Busselton Hospital after waiting hours for care.
The health service has set up a seven-person panel to review the patient's death.
Bunbury Regional Hospital has also been in the spotlight recently after it was issued a WorkSafe improvement notice after claims of a toxic work environment.
