A GP suffered a fractured skull and practice staff deep cuts in a horrific attack carried out by a patient, it has emerged.
Four members of staff were injured in total during the rampage at Florence House Medical Practice on Ashton Old Road in Openshaw on Friday afternoon.
Health bosses said they have been moved to tears by the violence colleagues faced and are calling on the government to take action over abuse towards NHS staff.
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The attack was the third in Manchester in this week alone, one senior clinician said.
Greater Manchester Police were called to the scene at around 12.30pm to reports of a 'disturbance'.
Two victims were taken to hospital with head injuries.
A 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage, police said on Friday.
Health bosses in Greater Manchester have been left shaken and angered by the attack.
Dr Tracey Vell, one of the region's most senior medics, tweeted the MEN's story and wrote: "Horrifying news as one of our GPs suffers skull fracture and practice staff deep lacerations from patient. We are shocked and reaching out to assist practice. What is happening?"
Dr Vell also tagged the Health Secretary Sajid Javid and added: "The country is angered but we cannot let the frontline NHS take the blows."
She later stated that Mr Javid has been in touch expressing 'deep concern' and that he is looking at how the government can help going forward.
In a tweet, Mr Javid said violence against those working in the health service is 'unacceptable' adding: "NHS staff work tirelessly to care for patients and shouldn’t have to fear for their safety.
"We’re doing all we can alongside the NHS to protect staff from abuse and bring offenders to justice."
Amanda Pritchard, the recently-appointed chief executive of the NHS, added in a tweet last night: "Sad to hear another example of violence and abuse against NHS staff today. This is never acceptable. Wishing the victims a swift recovery."
Meanwhile, medics in Greater Manchester suggested recent criticism of GPs in the media is fuelling abuse.
Manisha Kumar, Medical Director at Central Manchester CCG, wrote in reply to Ms Pritchard: "I think you should hear the story from the team.
"I cried yesterday when they told me what happened ( third incident in Manchester this week. ) People are scared. The abuse is horrific in the media. Please take this as a invite."
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "Officers were called just after 12.30pm today (September 17) to a report of a disturbance at a surgery on Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, Manchester.
"Four members of staff were injured, with two taken to hospital with head injuries.
"A 59-year-old man is in custody being questioned on suspicion of assault and criminal damage."
Following the incident the surgery closed for the day.
A message of the surgery's website said: "The surgery will be closed for the rest of the day (Friday 17 th September) due to unforeseen circumstances.
"The practice will reopen as normal on Monday."
