DARLING Downs Hospital and Health Board chairman Mike Horan says the mental health facility in which three staff were bashed is a safe place to work.

His comments came after three staff members received minor injuries in an attack by a patient at Baillie Henderson Hospital's medium security Ridley Unit about 9.40am Sunday.

Mr Horan said the situation was resolved very quickly.

"It was not a serious matter like it was a few years ago," Mr Horan said.

He was referring to a violent attack on three nurses carried out by seven male patients at the unit on January 19, 2013.

A Darling Downs Health and Hospital Service spokesman yesterday said Sunday's incident was not reported to police until 12.30pm because officers were not required to intervene or assist.

He said the incident was a one-off.

Queensland Health Director General Ian Maynard was at Baillie Henderson yesterday where he thanked staff members for their diligence in handling the situation.

Mr Horan said the hospital's first concern was always with its staff.

"Because of the nature of the work they undertake and the nature of the patients they have to care for, it has got some risk."