Merseyside Police said a man is believed to have gone to Newton Community Hospital, in Newton-le-Willows, to ask for an appointment on Tuesday afternoon, but became “increasingly agitated” when his request was refused and he was asked to leave.
A worker in a nearby shop said police were called to the scene when an injured woman fled to get help.
Sugedaran Shanmugaraja said 10 or 15 police cars arrived at the scene and that nurses came into the shop to treat the woman.
A 20-year-old man, who police say is originally from Afghanistan, has been arrested on suspicion of five counts of wounding with intent; affray and criminal damage.
He has been taken to a police station in Merseyside and remains in custody.
Officers were called to the hospital just after 12pm following reports of people being attacked with what may have been a crowbar, police said.
A man is reported to have damaged a counter before assaulting people, they added.
The victims are being treated by paramedics at the hospital for injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.
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Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron raced to the scene after receiving a phone call from his father, who lives next to the hospital.
His father had called “to say a family friend had run to his house to tell him that someone was attacking staff within the hospital and damaging the reception area,” he said.
“I live nearby, so I told him to call the police and I rushed to the hospital and so I got there within a few minutes.
“I can only thank Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service for such a swift and efficient response, running into a scenario where danger is unknown.”
Members of the public are being advised to avoid the area while enquiries continue.
