Blackpool Victoria Hospital police investigation leads to 5 health workers being charged with ill-treatment of patients
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The five former staff members have been charged following a police investigation into alleged offences committed on the Vic’s stroke unit.
In November 2018, Lancashire Police were contacted by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust after concerns were raised about the care provided to a number of patients.
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Hide AdFollowing consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, five people – three nurses and two health care assistants – will now appear at court.
They are accused of multiple offences relating to the ill-treatment of patients, including the unlawful sedation of patients, conspiracies to ill-treat, as well as the theft and supply of medication.
The charges relate to the period between August 2014 and November 2018.
The following former staff have been charged:
Catherine Hudson
The 52-year-old, of Coriander Close, Blackpool has been charged with:
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Hide Ad- seven offences of a care worker ill-treating/wilfully neglecting an individual
- eight offences of conspiring to steal from employer
- one offence of theft by employee
- one offence of perverting the course of justice
Charlotte Wilmot
The 47-year-old, of Bowland Crescent, Blackpool has been charged with:
- one offence of encouraging/assisting in the commission of an offence believing it will be committed – this relates to encouraging a nurse to sedate a patient
- one offence of conspiring to ill-treat a patient
- four offences of conspiring to steal from employer
Matthew Pover
The 39-year-old, of Bearwood Road, Smethwick, West Midlands has been charged with:
- one offence of conspiring to steal from employer
- one offence of theft by employee
- one offence of supplying a Class C drug
- one offence of offering to supply a Class C drug
Victoria Holehouse
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Hide AdThe 31-year-old, of Riverside Drive, Hambleton has been charged with:
- two offences of conspiring to steal from employer
Marek Grabianowski
The 45-year-old, of Montpelier Avenue, Bispham has been charged with:
- three offences of conspiring to steal from employer
- one offence of perverting the course of justice
All are due to appear at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on May 31.
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Hide AdDet Ch Insp Jill Johnston, leading the investigation, said: “This is a complex investigation into allegations of unlawful sedation and ill treatment of patients on the stroke unit at Blackpool over a number of years.
“The safety of patients and the public remains our absolute priority and this inquiry has investigated the care provided to often elderly and vulnerable people. Everyone should be safe in hospital, to receive the care they require and be treated with dignity and respect.
“Our investigation remains ongoing and we continue to provide support to the many families affected. I would encourage anyone with information to contact the investigation team in confidence and someone from the team will recontact you.”
Anyone with any information can contact the investigation team here or by calling 101 quoting log 0612 of May 4.
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Hide AdAlternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.