The 63-year-old Royal Prince Alfred Hospital patient remains in a critical condition after a woman allegedly attacked him with a hammer overnight.

Sydney Local Health District Deb Willcox has ruled out the need for tighter security measures, telling Clinton Maynard it was a tragic, but rare event.

“Somebody that knows the person has come deliberately to see them. We want people to feel they can come into our care … I hope this is what we can describe as an unusual and isolated crime that’s occurred,” she said.

Nine News reporter Helene Lambetsos says the woman told NSW Police the victim had allegedly stolen her brother’s ashes, prompting the attack, but questions remain over how they know each other.

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