Patient Seriously Ill After Suspicious Deaths

Police investigating three suspicious deaths at a hospital in Stockport say that another patient has become seriously ill.

Officials at Stepping Hill hospital say it is a man in his 40s.

He is one of 14 whose cases are being investigated following the deliberate contamination of containers of saline used to treat patients.

Police are working around the clock to trace whoever is responsible.

They say the culprit could well still be working in the hospital .

So far they have interviewed 50 people and expect that figure to rise.

Staff in the hospital are now working in pairs and security has been tightened.

Drugs that are given to patients are being double-checked and security guards have been given permission to check medicines.

Sixty detectives are working on the case.

The local NHS Trust's chief executive Dr Chris Burke said that his own position was "under review" although he believed the contamination of patients "could not have been anticipated".

Staff were "shocked, horrified and angry" that a place of care had become a crime scene, he said.

Greater Manchester Police Assistant chief constable Ian Hopkins said: "We are very conscious that staff are dedicated to care and saving lives... but our loyalty in this investigation lies with the families of those who died and providing answers for those families."