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A healthcare worker has been arrested on suspicion of murder as part of an ongoing probe into the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was arrested earlier this morning on suspicion of killing eight babies and attempting to murder six others.

The arrest is part of an “highly complex and very sensitive investigation” into the unit which was launched in May 2017 .

Police were called into Countess of Chester Hospital Foundation Trust after medical staff expressed concerns over the abnormally high number of the fatalities.

The investigation was initially focusing on the deaths of 15 babies that occurred between the period of June 2015 and June 2016 and six non-fatal collapses during the same period - but this has now been increased.

Detective Inspector Paul Hughes, who is in charge of the investigation, said: “Since the start of our enquiries and, as the information gathering process has continued, the scope of the investigation has now widened. We are now currently investigating the deaths of 17 babies and 15 non-fatal collapses between the period of March 2015 and July 2016.





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“Due to the nature of the case and, as part of our ongoing enquiries, we have consulted with a number of medical specialists to ensure that we carry out as thorough an investigation as possible. We have also spoken to a large number of people to gather as much information as we can.

“As a result of our ongoing enquiries we have today (Tuesday, July 3) arrested a healthcare professional in connection with the investigation. She was arrested earlier this morning on suspicion of murder in relation to eight of the babies and attempted murder in relation to six of the babies and is currently in custody.

“Whilst this is a significant step forward in our enquiries it is important to remember that the investigation is very much active and ongoing at this stage. There are no set timescales for this coming to a conclusion but we remain committed to carrying out a thorough investigation as soon as possible.”

He said the Force recognises that this investigation has a huge impact on all of the families, staff, and patients at the hospital as well as members of the public.

He added: “Parents of all the babies are continuing to be kept fully updated and are being supported throughout the process by specially trained officers. This is an extremely difficult time for all the families and it is important to remember that, at the heart of this, there are a number of bereaved families seeking answers as to what happened to their children.

“At this stage we are unable to go into any further details about the investigation but as soon as we are able to provide any further updates we will do.”

Ian Harvey, Countess of Chester Hospital medical director, said: “We are continuing to support Cheshire Police with their ongoing investigation. Asking the police to look into this was not something we did lightly, but we need to do everything we can to understand what has happened here and get the answers we and the families so desperately want.

"The Countess is now equivalent to a Level 1 Special Care Baby Unit and we are confident the unit is safe to continue in its current form.”

Anyone with information that they want to pass onto the investigation team is encouraged to get in touch via the Operation Hummingbird mailbox at operation.hummingbird@cheshire.pnn.police.uk Information can also be passed on anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 11 or by calling 101.