A pensioner was punched during an attack by a fellow patient at Southampton General Hospital.

The woman, in her 70s, was punched in the arm on March 1, police said.

Officers received a report of the attack shortly after 11.30pm that day.

An investigation into the incident has since been launched, Hampshire Constabulary confirmed.

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A spokesperson from the force said: “We were called at 11.34pm on Friday, March 1 to a report that a woman in her 70s had been assaulted at Southampton General Hospital by being punched in the arm.

“An investigation into the circumstances of this incident is underway and our enquiries are ongoing.”

University Hospital Southampton, which runs the hospital, declined to make a further comment.

A spokesperson said: “This incident is currently being investigated by Hampshire Police and it would be inappropriate to comment further while an investigation is ongoing.”