Health New Zealand says it will increase security at Middlemore Hospital's Emergency Department in Auckland following an attack on a nurse earlier this week.
However, it disputes claims that staff affected were not offered mental health support following the incident.
A patient allegedly attempted to strangle an ED nurse on Monday afternoon. A 23-year-old man has been charged.
The incident comes nine days after another nurse was hospitalised with stab wounds following a callout to a property in Rotorua.
An article published by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation's (NZNO) publication Kaitiaki reported yesterday that staff member at Middlemore said while there was usually a security presence in the ED, the guards were not present at the time of the attack.
Another staff told Kaitiaki that other than being offered a week off work, those affected have not been offered mental health support.
HNZ's national chief clinical officer Richard Sullivan told RNZ "no level of violence is acceptable" and they intended to increase security in the ED in coming weeks to send a clear message that hospitals were no place for aggression.
"We have also asked security to increase how often they are walking through ED, and decided to station our police liaison within the department for the next week at least."
In addition, Sullivan said they have reviewed the placement and function of duress alarms, to ensure these were more visible and easier to access if needed.
HNZ had and would continue to offer extensive support to staff at Middlemore and Rotorua hospitals affected by the recent violent incidents, he said.
Clinical psychologist support had been offered to those affected at Middlemore, as well as victim support and EAP counsellors, who have been regularly checking on staff at ED, Sullivan said.
"Anyone requiring support is encouraged to connect with their line manager, take up EAP, or connect with the support that has been offered."
Sullivan said they would await the outcome of police investigations into the two incidents.
The attack on a nurse was the second security incident at Middlemore in a week. A firearm was discharged in the hospital's carpark on January 4.
Earlier, HNZ's Counties Manukau acting group director of operations Dana Ralph-Smith said Middlemore was one of eight high-priority EDs which received an increased security budget over summer.
