Police are hunting a woman after a health worker was stabbed in a hospital car park.
Emergency services rushed to Ailsa Hospital in North Ayrshire at around 10am on Thursday after a 42-year-old community support worker was attacked outside the hospital's addiction services unit.
The worker was rushed to hospital where her injuries were described as serious but not thought to be life-threatening.
Officers have now searching for a woman who left the area immediately after the incident.
Read more: Worker 'stabbed' in grounds of Ayr hospital as police search grounds
Superintendent Brian Shaw said: "I am urging anyone who witnessed the attack to get in touch with us.
"I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the area around 10am and has information about a woman who was seen leaving the area shortly after the 42-year-old woman was stabbed.
"It is important that the public is aware that the hospital is open as normal.
"Officers remain at the hospital and we have increased high-visibility patrols in the area to reassure patients, staff and the wider public.
"Officers are reviewing CCTV and carrying out door-to-door enquiries in the area in an effort to identify the woman responsible."
The woman is described as being around 5ft 2in to 5ft 3in in height, slight build and pale complexion.
She was wearing a dark woolly hat and a dark jacket.
Police Scotland initially locked down the hospital and surrounding area while searches were carried out but the facility reopened around 1pm.
Ayr MSP John Scott raised the incident at First Minister's Questions (FMQs) in the Scottish Parliament, saying: "I understand a nurse has been stabbed by a patient".
Nicola Sturgeon said she was receiving reports about the incident as she entered the chamber for FMQs.
Read more: Nicola Sturgeon promises full review after nurse 'stabbed' at Ailsa Hospital
She said: "Our understanding - and let me stress this is our understanding, the first I will do when I leave the chamber will be to get a full update on this - our understanding is that injuries sustained by a nurse are not life-threatening injuries and that police are fully involved in this incident.
"Obviously, the safety of staff and patients is of the utmost importance."
NHS Ayrshire and Arran earlier said no patients, staff or visitors would be able to leave the site but some restrictions were later relaxed.
Billy McClean, associate director for the health board, added: "NHS Ayrshire and Arran is aware of an incident in the grounds of Ailsa Hospital this morning.
"We are assisting Police Scotland with their investigations, and to ensure the safety of staff, patients and visitors.
"We are unable to comment any further at this time."
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