A prisoner who escaped from Corrections staff at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton was wearing handcuffs and a GPS monitor.

Corrections and police are still hunting for the escaped inmate, who was at the hospital for “medical oversight”.

Police were notified about 1.30pm 48-year-old Damon Anderson had escaped from custody at the hospital on Pembroke St.

A spokesperson said police were actively searching for the escapee.

"While he is not considered an immediate risk to the public, police urge people not to approach him and to report any sightings of him through to police," said a police spokesperson in a statement this morning.

"Police enquiries to locate him are ongoing."

Springhill general manager Scott Walker said the prisoner was handcuffed and wearing a GPS monitor when he escaped.

A police search began immediately.

Public safety was the prison’s top priority and any escape was unacceptable, Walker said.

An immediate review of how the incident occurred would be carried out.

A Corrections spokesperson would not say how many staff were escorting the prisoner when he escaped, but said none were injured.

A Health NZ spokesperson would not say whether any hospital staff or patients were injured or threatened.

Police said anyone who had seen anything suspicious should call 111.

They would not say whether the prisoner was considered dangerous and said the man’s name and photograph would only be released if police planned an appeal for sightings.

The police Eagle Helicopter was not involved in the search.

It is the second time in a montha prisoner has escaped from Waikato Hospital.

In the first incident in November, a prisoner escaped after allegedly assaulting two Corrections officers and carjacking a vehicle. He was later arrested.

-Additonal reporting by SunLive