Staff held in hospital ‘poison’ probe
TWO health workers have been arrested by police probing claims that patients were poisoned at Blackpool’s Victoria Hospital.
The man and woman were yesterday being quizzed by detectives investigating allegations made by a whistle-blower who is also a member of staff.
They were held on suspicion of “administering any poison or noxious thing with the intent to injure and ill treatment or wilful neglect”.
The inquiry centres on patients in the large stroke ward at the 780-bed hospital.
Police are understood to have been looking at the way drip feeds and cannulas were used.
The hospital NHS Trust first called in the police last month and the following day a senior nurse was arrested on suspicion of being involved in administering poison or noxious substances.
She is currently on bail until February pending further police investigations. All three workers have been suspended from duty.
Last week a funeral was cancelled at the last minute by police request. The woman who had been due to be cremated had been a patient on the ward.
Det Chief Insp Jill Johnston, of Lancashire Police said: “This is a complicated and sensitive inquiry which remains at its early stages.
“Our priority and the priority of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is to ensure the safety of patients. We are working closely with the Trust as part of the investigation.”
Wendy Swift, the chief executive of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The hospital remains a safe and caring environment for patients and the provision of services will continue as usual.”