The nurse who was allegedly stabbed during her shift at the Royal Oldham Hospital on Saturday has been named.
Achamma Cherian, aged in her 50s, has been named in reports as the nurse who was allegedly stabbed with a pair of scissors over the weekend.
Roman Haque, 37, from Yasmin Gardens in Royton, Oldham, is accused of the attempted murder of Cherian and the possession of a bladed article in a public place.
During a brief hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Haque was told he would next appear in court on 18 February. No pleas were given and he was remanded in custody.
Here is what we know about the incident.
What we know
Greater Manchester Police was called to Royal Oldham Hospital at about 11.30pm on Saturday 11 January to reports of a stabbing.
The force said it was believed that a member of the public attacked a member of staff at the hospital’s Acute Medical Unit (AMU).
Cherian, a nurse in her 50s, suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital. Her injuries are believed to be life-changing.
On Monday, police said Haque had been charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article, which they later identified as a pair of scissors.
The trust that runs the hospital said it was shocked by the incident. (Stock image: Getty)
They also said they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
Detective Superintendent Matt Walker of Greater Manchester Police, (GMP) said: “Our thoughts are with the nurse as she continues to receive treatment in hospital for her injuries, and our priority remains supporting her, her family, and her colleagues at this difficult time.
“We continue to work closely with our NHS colleagues to support anyone who has been affected by this incident.”
The trust that oversees the hospital said it was “shocked and saddened” by the incident and is supporting the worker involved and their family, while local MP Jim McMahon described it as a “senseless attack”.
Health secretary Wes Streeting described nurses as the “backbone of our NHS”, saying they “should be able to care for patients without fear of violence”.
Streeting wrote on X: “My thoughts are with the nurse and her loved ones following this horrific attack at The Royal Oldham Hospital.”
My thoughts are with the nurse and her loved ones following this horrific attack at The Royal Oldham Hospital.
Nurses are the backbone of our NHS and should be able to care for patients without fear of violence.
We’re in touch with the Trust and will update further as we can. https://t.co/l73Cgs6vSs
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) January 12, 2025
Chief nursing officer at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Heather Caudle, said on Sunday: “We are incredibly shocked and saddened by last night’s incident and our focus is on supporting the colleague involved and their family.
“Our thoughts are also with colleagues and patients who were there at the time of the incident and for whom this has been distressing and frightening. All services at The Royal Oldham Hospital remain open.”
What we don’t know
We do not know the nature or extent of the injuries Cherian suffered or why the attack started in the first place. While we know she is still being treated for her injuries, we do not know her current condition.
According to some reports, Haque was a patient, but this has not been confirmed by police.
We also know little about Haque himself, or why he was in the hospital.
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