A nurse has been remanded in custody after the deaths of five patients at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport. Rebecca Leighton, 27, appeared at Manchester City Magistrates' Court charged with multiple offences, including three counts of criminal damage with intent to endanger life.
Leighton is also accused of three counts of criminal damage being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and one count of theft. No application for bail was made on her behalf, and the bench chairman Ian MacNeill remanded her in custody.
Police allege Leighton tampered with medical products, including saline ampoules and saline bags, which were contaminated with insulin. The contamination can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels.
Leighton was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the deaths of Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71, and George Keep, 84. On Thursday, police announced that the deaths of Derek Weaver, 83, and Vera Pearson, 84, were also being investigated. All five patients died in July.
Police are also examining the treatment of eight other patients since 7 July. An experienced nurse raised the alarm after noticing an unusually high number of patients with unexplained low blood sugar levels on a ward.
Post-mortem examinations are pending, and all hospital deaths have been referred to the south Manchester coroner. Staff have been instructed to work in pairs when checking and administering drugs, and a single keyholder must be asked for access to locked drug cabinets.
