A Blacktown Hospital emergency department nurse has been repeatedly stabbed with a butter knife.

The July 12 attack has sparked union and State Government calls for an urgent security review at the department.

The 48-year-old female nurse was working on a nursing station computer when a 39-year-old male patient allegedly punched the nurse in the face, dragged her and stabbed her with the knife in the arm, back and breast area.

Another nurse wrestled the knife from the man, who has since been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm. He was refused bail and will appear at court on Friday.

The nurse was treated at the hospital and later discharged.

New South Wales Nurses’ Association general secretary Brett Holmes said improvements were needed to security arrangements and staffing levels at the hospital’s ED.

“NSWNA members have expressed concern about low staffing levels and they also want security staff allocated to the emergency department 24 hours a day,” he said.

"For some reason this level of dedicated security does not exist in the ED at the moment and that should be rectified as soon as possible.

“This is a new and busy emergency department, which clearly needs that level of security.”

Mr Holmes said there would be a formal occupational health and safety investigation into the incident and he said WorkCover had already visited the hospital.

"Unfortunately, this incident again highlights the risks many nurses and other hospital staff face at times,” he said.

“Every effort must continue to be made to ensure their safety and the safety of other patients. We must maintain a zero tolerance approach to this type of violence.”

NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner confirmed security would be reviewed.

“This attack is very worrying," Ms Skinner said in a statement.