Blackpool hospital chief's support for investigation

The boss of Blackpool Victoria Hospital has issued a reassurance about support for the stroke unit after an arrest was made as part of a police investigation into allegations of mistreatment and neglect.
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Kevin McGee, chief executive of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, told a meeting of the board held in public “we are working very hard to support our staff so that they can continue to provide a safe and the best possible services on the stroke unit.”

He said the day of the arrest on Wednesday had been “an important day in terms of developments” and “our thoughts and hearts go out to everybody involved in these cases, and that’s the patients and their families and our staff.”

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He added the hospital trust had “worked very closely with the police and were supporting the police”, but he could not add anything further as the investigation continued.

Chief executive Kevin McGeeChief executive Kevin McGee
Chief executive Kevin McGee

Lancashire Police revealed on Wednesday they had arrested a healthcare professional as part of the investigation into Valerie Kneale’s death in 2018.

Ms Kneale, 75, died from a haemorrhage caused by a “non-medical related internal injury”, a spokesman said.

The arrested man, who is being held on suspicion of murder, two offences of rape and one offence of sexual assault, has been suspended by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

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