Oxygen supplies 'tampered with'

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Oxygen cylinders at a hospital may have been deliberately tampered with, the hospital has said.

Police are investigating the incidents at Sandwell Hospital, West Bromwich, after at least one cylinder was found to be disabled.

Staff found it had been blocked, meaning the patient was not receiving oxygen in his face mask.

Further checks revealed two more cylinders may have been affected. The hospital said it was "concerned".

The incident came to light after the cylinder was used on a patient Hospital spokesman A spokesman for Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust said an unidentifiable substance had been blocking the oxygen flow.

It could not have got into the regulator any other way than by being pushed there, the spokesman said.

The hospital immediately ordered all 500 of its portable cylinders to be checked, revealing two more may have been disabled.

The patient was not hurt in the incident, which took place two weeks ago, the hospital said on Sunday.

It said it had called in police to investigate whether there was any criminal involvement.

'Extra vigilant'

The statement said: "Staff routinely check oxygen cylinders are full and listen to ensure oxygen is flowing.

"Since the incident we have asked staff to be extra vigilant and ensure they can feel the flow of air in the mask itself.

"The incident came to light after the cylinder was used on a patient.

"The tank was full and staff could hear oxygen flowing from the cylinder but it quickly became apparent the oxygen was not getting through to the mask.

"An alternative oxygen supply was immediately provided and the patient has not suffered any adverse reaction.

"The other cylinders that were found to be blocked were not in use and there has not been any further incident involving patients."