Five health workers have been charged with a number of crimes as part of a major police investigation into the alleged ill-treatment of stroke patients in hospital.
The charges were announced more than three years after police contacted the Blackpool Training Hospitals, the NHS Foundation in November 2018, about concerns expressed about the care provided to a number of patients.
Three nurses and two health assistants who worked at Blackpool Victoria Hospital have been charged with crimes, including ill-treatment of ill-treatment of patients, and theft and delivery of drugs.
Lancashire police said the investigation had focused on “care for the often elderly and vulnerable” for “several years”. The alleged crimes were committed in the stroke department of the hospital.
Catherine Close, 52, of Coriander Close, Blackpool, was charged with seven counts of ill-treatment or willful neglect of a caregiver, eight counts of conspiracy to commit theft by an employer, one count of theft by an employee and one charge of misrepresentation.
Charlotte Wilmot, 47, of Bowland Crescent, Blackpool, has been charged with encouraging / aiding and abetting a crime, believing it will be committed in connection with encouraging a nurse to calm a patient, a charge of conspiracy to abuse a patient , and four crimes conspiracy to steal from an employer.
Matthew Pover, 39, of Bearwood Road, Smetwick, West Midlands, has been charged with conspiracy to steal from an employer, steal from an employee, supply a Class C drug and offer to supply a Class C drug.
Victoria Holhouse, 31, of Riverside Drive, Humbleton, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to steal from an employer, and Marek Grabianowski, 45, of Montpellier Avenue, Bisfam, was charged with three counts of conspiracy to steal from an employer and one count of misrepresentation. in the course of justice.
The charges relate between August 2014 and November 2018. All five defendants are due to appear in Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on May 31.
Ch Insp detective Jill Johnston, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is a comprehensive investigation into allegations of illegal sedation and ill-treatment of patients in the Blackpool stroke ward for several years.
“Patient and community safety remains our top priority, and this investigation examined the care provided to the often elderly and vulnerable. Everyone must be safe in the hospital, receive the care they need and be treated with dignity and respect.
“Our investigation is ongoing and we continue to support the many families affected. I would encourage anyone with information to contact the investigative team in confidence, and someone on the team will contact you again. “
Police said the investigation was not related to the accusation of a 51-year-old man in December 2021 of a number of sexual assaults at the hospital. The investigation into the murder of Valerie Knill in the stroke ward continues.
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