Joseph George’s (56), a member of the catering staff was attacked inside the Royal Sussex County Hospital a few minutes before 9 am. His wife, Beena woke up to the news of her husband being attacked after working for a night shift.
The scene was handled by the Armed police and neighbouring businesses were ordered to close. Sussex Police confirmed that a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder an hour later in a nearby street.
Mr George's wife Beena is a neonatal nurse at the same hospital, and the couple has two children. She told The Sun: "We don't know anything, we don't even know how he is yet. He works in the catering department. I have been on a night shift all night and was woken up to this news."
According to an online report, a witness claimed Mr George was stabbed by a man who demanded access to a drugs cabinet. They told the publication: "The guy came in the hospital and grabbed the first person he saw and demanded they open the drugs cabinet with his security pass. Joseph works in catering at the hospital and his card doesn't open drugs cabinets. In a statement earlier, the force said: "At 8.42am on Sunday (19 July) police were called to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after a report that a member of staff had sustained a stab wound. The hospital site was quickly secured while officers have been working with security staff to confirm that nobody else has been injured, and that staff and patients are safe.
Police & Crime Commissioner for Sussex Katy Bourne tweeted: 'Dreadful event and thoughts with the injured NHS staff member's family and those police officers & health colleagues at the scene...'
Lewes District Lib Dem Councillor Sean Maclead said: 'My wife works at the Sussex County hospital. They have been absolute hero's all the staff through this crisis.
'For someone to go into the hospital and stab a member of staff is frightening. Thoughts and Prayers are with the victim.'
MP for Hove Peter Kyle put: 'Shocking news from our Hospital. We don't yet know why a member of staff was stabbed but I'm thankful to @BtonHovePolice for a swift arrest for attempted murder. All affected by this are in my thoughts, especially the victim who I wish a swift recovery.'
MP for Brighton Kemptown Lloyd Russell-Moyle added: 'My thoughts are with the worker and family. Last year Labour passed through a backbench bill a law to ensure that people who assault NHS workers got double time. This will be no relief to the person who was stabbed, but I hope it will ensure justice can be delivered when the person is Brighton to book.'
