Posted 30 June 2022 - 10:00
Posted 30 June 2022 - 10:00
News
Trial date set as Blackpool nurses plead not guilty to 26 charges
Two nurses and two healthcare assistants face 26 charges, including unlawful sedation of a patient and stealing drugs, said to have occurred on a stroke unit
Two nurses and two healthcare assistants face 26 charges, including unlawful sedation of a patient and stealing drugs, said to have occurred on a stroke unit
A trial date has been set for two nurses and two healthcare assistants charged with offences including the unlawful sedation of a patient and stealing drugs.
A major investigation was launched by Lancashire Constabulary after Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was made aware of serious concerns relating to the defendants in November 2018.
Pleas of not guilty entered to 26 charges
On Wednesday, nurses Catherine Hudson, of Blackpool, and Marek Grabianowski, of Bispham, appeared at Preston Crown Court, along with healthcare assistants Charlotte Wilmot, of Blackpool, and Victoria Holehouse, of Hambleton.
They face 26 charges said to have taken place on a stroke unit between November 2013 and November 2018. They all entered not guilty pleas to all alleged offences.
A fifth defendant, nurse Matthew Pover, of Smethwick in the West Midlands, also attended the hearing but will enter his pleas later this summer.
Ms Hudson faces 17 counts, including allegations she ill-treated, or conspired to ill-treat, a total of five patients by administering unprescribed sedatives.
Trial of suspended nurses to take place in July 2023
Ms Wilmot faces four counts of conspiring to steal drugs, one count of conspiring with Ms Hudson to ill-treat a patient, and a further count of encouraging Ms Hudson to unlawfully sedate another patient.
Mr Grabianowski and Ms Holehouse deny charges relating to conspiracy to steal drugs from the hospital.
Ms Hudson and Mr Grabianowski also pleaded not guilty to intending to pervert the course of justice by disposing of evidence.
They were bailed ahead of their trial on 31 July next year which is expected to last eight weeks. A pre-trial review will take place on 5 June.
Mr Pover will enter his pleas on 8 August to charges of conspiracy to steal, theft, and supplying and offering a class C drug.
All three nurses are suspended from the Nursing and Midwifery Council register.
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