Murder inquiry after NHS ward poisoning probe
A POLICE probe into the alleged poisoning of patients on a stroke unit escalated last night as detectives said they had launched a murder inquiry following the death of a grandmother.
Three nurses are being investigated and are currently on bail after a whistleblower claimed medicines had been tampered with.
Police inquiries are understood to be focusing on the use of drips and cannulas on the ward, as well as the administering of sleeping tablets.
A number of post-mortem examinations have been conducted, and yesterday police said the death of 75-year- old Valerie Kneale at Blackpool Victoria Hospital was being treated as suspicious.
At this stage her cause of death is unknown and as a result a separate murder inquiry has been launched.
Last night the pensioner’s family said they were ‘completely and utterly devastated and heartbroken’ by her death in November.
Police were initially contacted by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on November 8 after concerns were ‘Precious’: Valerie Kneale raised about the care provided to some patients.
Lancashire Police have since arrested three nurses on suspicion of administering a poison or noxious substance with the intent to injure, and ill-treatment or wilful neglect.
Detectives are understood to be looking into the suggestion patients on the stroke unit were given Zopiclone sleeping pills to keep them sedated.
The three nurses have been released under investigation and suspended. Hospital chiefs have set up a helpline for worried relatives to get in touch.
Detectives last night said ‘an unexplained injury’ had been found during a post-mortem examination on Mrs Kneale and that it was ‘believed to be suspicious in nature’.
They added that while the injury was identified during the investigation into mistreatment and neglect, Mrs Kneale’s case was being treated separately as a murder inquiry. No arrests have been made over her death.
Detective Chief Inspector Jill Johnston said: ‘We are investigating the circumstances which led to the death of a woman in Blackpool. We understand this is a concerning development but I would like to reassure people we are fully committed to carrying out as thorough an investigation as possible.’
Police released a tribute from her family which read: ‘We as a family are completely and utterly devastated and heartbroken to have lost Val in these circumstances. She was the most precious wife, mother and grandmother, our constant friend and problem-solver who we will miss dearly.’
Blackpool Victoria Hospital is the main hospital for Lancashire’s Fylde Coast and the leading hospital for heart surgery in the region.
In December trust chief executive Wendy Swift said: ‘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.’
‘Unexplained injury’