This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-manchester-14166920
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Police investigate three deaths at Stepping Hill Hospital | Police investigate three deaths at Stepping Hill Hospital |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The deaths of three patients at a Stockport hospital are being investigated after a batch of contaminated saline was found. | The deaths of three patients at a Stockport hospital are being investigated after a batch of contaminated saline was found. |
Police said an inquiry into the deaths of two people was extended following the death of an 84-year-old man | Police said an inquiry into the deaths of two people was extended following the death of an 84-year-old man |
All three - including another man aged 71 and a woman, 44 - were patients at Stepping Hill Hospital. | All three - including another man aged 71 and a woman, 44 - were patients at Stepping Hill Hospital. |
Staff alerted police on Tuesday after finding vials of saline solution had been tampered with. | Staff alerted police on Tuesday after finding vials of saline solution had been tampered with. |
A further 11 people are believed to have been affected by the incident but were not seriously harmed as a result. | |
The discovery came after several patients suffered lower than normal blood sugar levels. | The discovery came after several patients suffered lower than normal blood sugar levels. |
'Deliberate contamination' | |
Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney said: "Greater Manchester Police's priority is to prevent any further harm to 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." | |
He said all deaths at the hospital meeting certain criteria would be referred to the coroner adding: "It is important that people are clear in their minds that, as things stand, we do not know for sure if the contaminated saline contributed to the deaths of these three people. | |
"That said we have someone deliberately contaminating saline in the one place that people should feel they are being most cared for." | |
'Extra vigilant' | |
Dr Chris Burke, chief exectutive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It was the staff at the hospital who brought this matter to our attention and I've asked them to continue to be extra vigilant to help safeguard patients." | |
He said all saline ampoules in the hospital had been replaced and security increased at the site. | |
The cause of death in all three cases is not yet known. | The cause of death in all three cases is not yet known. |
Police said they had recovered "a number of ampoules of solution" from the hospital. | |
The hospital has launched a telephone hotline for patients or relatives affected by the case on 0161 419 4888. |