Monday 23 March 2009

Jersey nurse 'deaths' claim probe


The allegations relate to deaths at the hospital in 1999
Jersey Police are to review an investigation over allegations a former nurse was involved in patient deaths at the island's General Hospital.

The allegations relate to the deaths of 13 patients over two months in 1999.

They were detailed in a police report but no action was taken. The report has been recently leaked to the public.

The force said it would now speak to "key people involved" to "establish whether there was any new evidence to justify further investigation".

Death rate

The allegations against the staff nurse, who cannot be named for legal reasons, include testimony from a colleague who believed the nurse was intent on ending the lives of very ill patients by adjusting their drug intake.

According to the leaked report the average death rate between 1998 and 1999 on the ward concerned was 4.5 deaths per month.

But in February 1999 there were eight deaths in four nights when the nurse was on duty, and a further five deaths in March also when the nurse was on shift.

The report said that could be explained by a bout of illness among frail patients but could equally be "foul play".

'New evidence'

The nurse is no longer employed at the hospital.

Jersey Police said in a statement: "We can confirm that there was an investigation, and we are now taking the opportunity to review the files and will be speaking to the key people who have previously been involved, to ascertain if there is any substance to these further allegations and to establish if there is any new evidence which would justify further investigation.

"We will also be carrying out an investigation to determine if what appears to be confidential material has been released in contravention of the data protection laws, in conjunction with the Data Protection Commissioner."

The States Attorney General's office said it did not comment on individual cases.

Jersey General Hospital said it had no statement or comment to make at this time.

Source