A medical leader says the frightening incident at Wairarapa Hospital over the weekend could happen at any Emergency Department across the country and says boosting security should be an urgent priority.
Health Minister Shane Reti says an incident report will be done after a man with a machete attacked a visitor - and he has indicated the Budget may include further funding for security.
The chair of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine in New Zealand Dr Kate Allan says violence and aggression is on the rise in EDs, which are highly vulnerable.
Dr Allan spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
