NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner has convened an urgent meeting to discuss upgrading security in the state’s hospitals after an ice-crazed patient allegedly attempted to shoot dead a police officer.

Michael De Guzman, a 39-year-old registered nurse, allegedly held a pair of scissors to the throat of a female doctor in Nepean Hospital’s emergency department on Tuesday night, screaming that he was “gonna kill” following an argument with his wife.

The ice-addicted patient, who had been admitted to the hospital’s emergency ward twice throughout the day, then scuffled with a police officer and a security guard, allegedly shooting both men when he tried to grab the officer’s gun from its holster.

Senior Constable Luke Warburton, a decorated Dog Squad officer who was instrumental in the arrest of notorious fugitive Malcolm Naden, was hit in the upper thigh in front of terrified patients and staff just before 10.30pm.

He remained in a serious condition on Wednesday night. The security guard, 48-year-old Barry Jennings, was hit in the calf and remained in a stable condition.

Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes said hospital employees are facing such violence every day.

“We’re seeing more and more violent issues, we’re seeing more security officers injured,” he said. “We’ve been calling on the government for some time to have a summit to deal with this.”

In September, the riot squad were called to RPA hospital following a brawl in the geriatric department that left a nurse and two security guards injured. 

More at SMH.