A PATIENT was arrested in a ward at Ipswich hospital following an allegation of assault, The Evening Star has learned. The 56-year-old man was initially detained by hospital security staff following the incident at around 6am last Monday.

A PATIENT was arrested in a ward at Ipswich hospital following an allegation of assault, The Evening Star has learned.

The 56-year-old man was initially detained by hospital security staff following the incident at around 6am last Monday.

Police were called soon after and arrested the man in Capel ward on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm to two people.

The alleged victims of the attack are a 52-year-old nurse, who was carrying out a routine medical assessment at the time, and a security worker.

Police spoke to the man before releasing him.

He was returned to the ward and was put under 24-hour supervision by hospital security staff.

A police spokesman said investigations into the incident would begin once the man had been discharged from hospital.

Capel ward is a short-stay facility used for patient assessments.

Hospital spokeswoman Jan Rowsell said she could not comment on the case specifically but added: “At any one time there are 8,000 people at the hospital but there are very few incidents.

“The vast majority of cases are not malicious. Sometimes, due to illness and other medical conditions, people will act out of character.

“Nonetheless, we operate a zero-tolerance approach and every incident is very carefully investigated.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called to the hospital at 6am on Monday and arrested a 56-year-old man on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

“He was later de-arrested. Investigations will continue when the individual is released from hospital.”

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