A Halifax provincial court judge has ordered a psychiatric assessment for a man accused of a violent attack in the emergency department of the province's largest hospital in January.

Nicholas Robert Coulombe, 32, made a brief appearance in court Thursday morning. He's facing nine charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault, in relation to a Jan. 29 incident in which a man stabbed two staff members at the Halifax Infirmary. One of them was critically injured.

Legal aid lawyer Colin Smith requested the assessment, telling the court that Coulombe has a history of mental health issues.

The assessment will be performed at the East Coast Forensic Hospital in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia's only secure mental health facility. It will help determine whether Coulombe can be held criminally responsible on the charges.

He is scheduled to return to court at the end of this month.

MORE TOP STORIES

• Why these N.S. social workers are worried kids are falling through the cracks

• Houston says he's 'focused on Nova Scotia' amid rumours he's seeking Poilievre's job

• Teen accused of threats to Halifax high school now charged with promoting hatred

• Nova Scotia hospitals to offer free parking starting May 1

• JetBlue hits pause on plans for seasonal Halifax-Boston flight