Saboteur feared on the loose at NHS hospital

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Saboteur feared on the loose at NHS hospital
A saboteur was feared to be on the loose at an NHS hospital last night after two terminally-ill patients died following the suspected contamination of their medication.

Medical staff and those involved in the manufacture and distribution of the ampoules are now helping officers determine at what point the contamination took place Photo: PA
By Nigel Bunyan8:53PM BST 14 Jul 2011
Nurses at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, Greater Manchester, raised the alarm when they noticed that several ampoules of saline solution appeared to have been injected with insulin.
The patients who have died are a woman aged 44 and a 71-year-old man.
However, detectives are also investigating the possibility that the lives of 10 other patients were put at risk.
The two people who died were being treated in holding bays close to the hospital’s accident and emergency unit.
Police sources stressed last night that their deaths may not have been caused by the contamination. The issue is complicated by the fact that post mortem examinations are unlikely to provide proof either way.
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Although the hospital takes delivery of thousands of ampoules of saline solution every week, it is understood that only one batch has been contaminated. This was delivered a few weeks ago.
Detectives were called into the hospital on Tuesday. Medical staff and those involved in the manufacture and distribution of the ampoules are now helping officers determine at what point the contamination took place.
The most likely scenario is that the ampoules were interfered with inside the hospital.
A police source told the Daily Telegraph: “At best someone has tampered with them for whatever reason. At worst this was a deliberate attempt to harm patients.”
Police are unsure whether they are dealing with a determined saboteur with a grudge or someone who views his or her actions either as a prank or as a means of helping a terminally ill patient.
They are hoping that whoever contaminated the ampoules will come forward and offer an explanation.
Senior officers predict that the investigation will stretch over several weeks.
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: “Detectives from the major incident team are working closely with the hospital to establish the full circumstances of the contamination.
"Staff and those patients who may have been affected and their relatives have been informed."
Det Supt Julian Ross, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are investigating the deaths of a 44-year-old woman and 71-year-old man.
"I must stress the cause of death is not known and any speculation about this would not be helpful to our investigation or welcomed by the families of these people.
"This investigation is at a very early stage and we don't know what affect, if any, the solution has had to the wellbeing of any patients.
"We have recovered a number of ampoules of solution and are working closely with the hospital to try and get to the bottom of what has happened.
"There is no need for people in the community to be unduly alarmed but I would ask anyone who might have information about what may have happened to get in touch."
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said: "The Trust called in Greater Manchester Police to investigate after staff found that some saline ampoules were found to be contaminated at the hospital.
"On July 11, an experienced nurse reported a higher than normal number of patients on her ward with unexplained low blood sugar levels.
"The hospital found that some saline ampoules had been interfered with and, as a result, commenced an immediate investigation. Greater Manchester Police has been asked to assist with the investigation, which is at a very early stage."
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust's chief executive, Dr Chris Burke said: "We are now in the process of contacting patients and the relatives of those who may have been affected.
"The Trust has done an initial check of all ampoules in the hospital and is carrying out a number of additional measures to safeguard patients."
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Ooh, thats right on my doorstep!

It's just been on Sky News that they believe they were contaminated with insulin?

A NURSE HAS BEEN ARRESTED in stockport IN CONNECTION WITH THE SABOTAGES,rebecca latham(sp?)

Aged only 26!
Bloody hell.

People who know her have said.....she has been on face book when these murders occurred and she acted normally!


Off course she acted normally....she acted normally because it was normal for her to do what she did and she didn't act any differently before, during and after.

Policeman on Sky just said TWO more people have died!

She didn't have to be there at the time they died as she contaminated the saline drips in the storage area, from what I can gather.

My friend's sister is due to go in there tomorrow for an operation, she's now terrified and wants to cancel !

The Sky reporter has said that no further cases have happened since they upped the security round the hospital.
But I don't blame your friend for being worried.

Police granted more time to question the nurse!

JUST HEARD ON CHANNEL 4 THAT POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING 2 MORE DEATHS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SABOTAGES.
A MAN DIED THIS MORNING,A SIXTH MAN IS SERIOUSLY ILL.
I UNDERSTAND FROM THE GUARDIAN THAT THE NURSING COUNCIL? MIGHT REMOVE HER FROM THEIR REGISTER

I should think it takes a special kind of evil to murder indiscriminately sick and vunerable people who believe they are in a place of safety .

Look at Beverley Allett.....the nurse who murdered little babies....she walked around as if it was a normal every day thing to do.

Rebecca Leighton charged with 6 counts of criminal damage intending to endanger life.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Stepping-Hill-Hospital-Nurse-Rebecca-Leighton-Charged-Over-Patient-Deaths-In-Stockport/Article/201107416035831?lpos=UK_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_16035831_Stepping_Hill_Hospital%3A_Nurse_Rebecca_Leighton_Charged_Over_Patient_Deaths_In_Stockport

wjk wrote:Rebecca Leighton charged with 6 counts of criminal damage intending to endanger life.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Stepping-Hill-Hospital-Nurse-Rebecca-Leighton-Charged-Over-Patient-Deaths-In-Stockport/Article/201107416035831?lpos=UK_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_16035831_Stepping_Hill_Hospital%3A_Nurse_Rebecca_Leighton_Charged_Over_Patient_Deaths_In_Stockport

THANKS FOR THE UPDATE,WJK
WONDER WHAT HER SUPPOSED REASON WA\S FOR DOING THIS.

Probably just evil Bb.
I wonder why she wasn't charged with murder?

I said yesterday it takes a special kind of wickedness to murder people who are already vunerable .

halfamo wrote:I said yesterday it takes a special kind of wickedness to murder people who are already vunerable .

And thats spot on, mo. Wicked and evil!

I saw the picture of the last man to die and saw his sister and brother talking about him and i was truly upset what kind of person decides people should die destroying families, try as i might i don,t get it i really don,t .