Two more held over ‘poisoning of patients’

Detectives investigating allegations of mistreatment of stroke victims at a hospital in Blackpool have arrested two more nurses.

A man and a woman were arrested by Lancashire police on suspicion of poisoning patients at Blackpool Victoria hospital.

Another nurse was the first person to be arrested in November after Blackpool teaching hospitals NHS foundation trust raised concerns about the care provided to some patients. All three have been suspended. The two arrested yesterday remain in custody while the woman arrested last month has been bailed until February 10.

Lancashire police said officers were in the early stages of their investigation and have been working closely with the trust and the Blackpool and Fylde coroner.

The force said a number of postmortem examinations had been conducted but declined to say how many patients may have been affected.

Detective chief inspector Jill Johnston, of Lancashire police, said: “This is a complicated and sensitive inquiry which remains at its early stages. I understand further arrests might be concerning but I would like to reassure people we have a dedicated team of detectives working on this investigation.

“We are offering support to those families who have had loved ones identified as potentially being involved. They are being kept fully updated and supported throughout the process by specially trained officers.”

Wendy Swift, the chief executive of Blackpool teaching hospitals NHS foundation trust, said: “We take all allegations of this type extremely seriously and when the concerns were raised we immediately contacted the police.”