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Blackpool Victoria Hospital: Four more arrests in poisoning probe | Blackpool Victoria Hospital: Four more arrests in poisoning probe |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Four healthcare professionals have been arrested on suspicion of administering poison or a noxious substance to patients at a hospital. | Four healthcare professionals have been arrested on suspicion of administering poison or a noxious substance to patients at a hospital. |
One man and three women have been held amid allegations of mistreatment and neglect at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. | One man and three women have been held amid allegations of mistreatment and neglect at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. |
Police are investigating after concerns were raised about the care provided to some patients on the stroke unit. | Police are investigating after concerns were raised about the care provided to some patients on the stroke unit. |
Two women and a man previously arrested as part of the inquiry were released under investigation. | Two women and a man previously arrested as part of the inquiry were released under investigation. |
The seven suspects, who are all healthcare professionals, have been suspended as part of safeguarding procedures while investigations continue. | |
The stroke unit is at the centre of a separate murder investigation following the death of 75-year-old Valerie Kneale there in November. | The stroke unit is at the centre of a separate murder investigation following the death of 75-year-old Valerie Kneale there in November. |
A post-mortem examination after Ms Kneale's death found an injury which police said was believed to be suspicious. | A post-mortem examination after Ms Kneale's death found an injury which police said was believed to be suspicious. |
Det Ch Insp Jill Johnston said while she "understands further arrests could be concerning", she would like to reassure the public that the force has a "dedicated team of detectives working on this investigation". | |
Officers are working closely with Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and HM Coroner for Blackpool and Fylde as part of the investigation. | |
Wendy Swift, chief executive at the hospital trust, said "the provision of services will continue as usual" while "the hospital remains a safe and caring environment for patients". | |
She added: "We take all allegations of this type extremely seriously and when the concerns were raised last year about the individuals they were immediately suspended." |
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