Health worker is accused of giving poison to stroke patients
A HOSPITAL health-care worker has been arrested on suspicion of deliberately poisoning stroke patients, it emerged last night.
The unnamed woman, who worked at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, was arrested by Lancashire Police earlier this month and has since been suspended.
The member of staff was questioned on suspicion of administering poison or noxious fluids with the intent to injure, as well as for ill-treatment and willful neglect of patients.
She has been bailed until December 6 while police continue their inquiries.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it became concerned for the welfare of patients earlier this month following allegations of mistreatment and neglect.
It is understood the trust contacted police on November 8 after staff voiced their concerns with the management.
Priority
That follows a report by the Care Quality Commission last year which questioned the trust’s ability to safely handle medicines.
Detective Chief Inspector Jill Johnston, of Lancashire Police, said: “This arrest is part of an on-going investigation into allegations of mistreatment of patients by a health-care professional at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
“The inquiry is complicated and we have a team of specialist detectives working on this case.
“They are also offering support to those families who have had loved ones identified as potentially being involved.
“Our priority and the priority of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is to ensure the safety of patients. Inquiries are on-going.”
Detectives are at the “early stages” of the investigation and are working closely with Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, she added. Trust chief executive Wendy Swift said: “A healthcare professional has been suspended following allegations of mistreatment against patients on the stroke unit.
“We take all allegations of this type extremely seriously and when the concerns were raised we immediately contacted the police.
“The trust is working with the police and co-operating fully with their investigation.
“We would like to reassure all our patients that all necessary actions are being taken.
“The hospital remains a safe and caring environment for patients and the provision of services will continue as usual.”
Blackpool Victoria is the main hospital for Lancashire’s Fylde Coast and the leading treatment centre for heart surgery in the region.
Last month it was revealed hundreds of cancer patients had been transferred from there to a private hospital – in a bid to beat NHS cancer targets.