MEDICAL staff are today on high alert after a nurse was pulled to the ground and attacked just outside Southampton General Hospital.

The 32-year-old was assaulted during an attempted robbery as she walked on the pavement outside the hospital.

It happened as the nurse,who has not been named, was walking along Tremona Road near the Bursledon House Children’s Hospital Unit.

She was approached from behind by a man and pulled to the ground.

The attacker then assaulted her as he tried to grab her handbag.

A passer-by came to the woman’s aid and the man fled the scene down a footpath between Wordsworth House NHS building and the Ronald McDonald charity building.

The incident, outside Southampton General Hospital, left the nurse with head and body injuries.

These are not thought to be life-threatening.

Nothing was stolen in the attack which happened at about 2.30pm on Thursday.

Now staff have been told to “take extra care and remain vigilant.’’ A spokesman for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation said colleagues had been given advice on how to avoid this happening again.

He added no extra security had been deployed, patrols were continuing as normal and information regarding the incident had also been passed to staff.

“While security continue to patrol all areas of the hospital site as normal, we would urge staff to take extra care and remain vigilant when walking to and from the hospital site and in the surrounding areas,” a memo said.

“Staff should report any suspicious activity to security immediately.”

Following the attack, police issued an appeal, describing the man as being of mixed race, aged between 25 and 40, about six feet and two inches tall, and of average build.

He was wearing blue jeans and a dark top with the hood up.

Detective Constable Rob Munro said: “This incident happened during daylight hours in a public place where large numbers of people pass through on a daily basis.

“If anyone witnessed the incident, or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the surrounding area around this time, then please contact police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Munro on 101 and quote reference number 44160397003, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.