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Hospital deaths suspect released on police bail

 

Monday 09 January 2012 01:00 GMT

A 46-year-old male nurse suspected of murdering three hospital patients was released on police bail last night.

Victorino Chua was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of tampering with medical records at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, where detectives are investigating the poisoning of patients last summer.

On Saturday night Greater Manchester Police said the nurse was being questioned on suspicion of three counts of murder and 18 counts of causing grievous bodily harm. Police are investigating the contamination of saline drips in June and July last year which caused patients to suffer hypoglycaemic episodes. Tracey Arden, Arnold Lancaster and Derek Weaver died shortly after experiencing such episodes. Officers are looking into a fourth death.

Police said 21 patients were believed to have been deliberately poisoned. The cases of a further 21 patients who suffered hypoglycaemic episodes are not being treated as suspicious. Mr Chua has been bailed in relation to all matters until an unconfirmed date in April.

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