Detectives issue update on hospital investigation
By Connor Steel
DETECTIVES have confirmed that another three people will be interviewed under caution for allegedly breaking health and safety laws as part of the continuing “Operation Magenta” investigation; which is looking into the deaths of at least 456 patients after being treated with ‘opioids’ at Gosport War Memorial Hospital over fourteen years from 1987 to 2001.
The update was given to families at a meeting and comes nearly seven months after Kent / Essex Police announced a total of nineteen other suspects in connection with a range of offences. This number is currently standing at twenty-two people after the development with potential charges being considered by independent investigators including homicide.
It further signals progress in a long running investigation that was launched in 2018 following the ‘Gosport Independent Panel’ report; which concluded that the lives of 456 patients were shortened due to the “routine practices of prescribing and administering opioids”. It also outlined that another two hundred people were potentially affected by the ‘treatment’.
Deputy Chief Constable Neil Jerome cited the investigation as being “one of the largest and most complex of its nature in the history of UK policing” in a press release. He further said that the team has assessed over three million pages of documents including medical records of 750+ patients and have taken witness statements from 1,150 family members.
Mr Jerome further stated that the investigation is ongoing but didn’t offer any indications on the timeframe for any more updates or potential charges at this time. A small number of inquests have previously been ordered by the “High Court” as part of the case which follows three others led by Hampshire Constabulary that did not result in criminal convictions.
Readers are encouraged to explore media links like BBC News, Sky News and ITV News for fresh developing updates on the breaking story along with local news; whilst the full 2018 independent panel report can be read via this weblink.
PICTURED BY ALAMY (RTKK7T): The front façade and famous main entrance to the Gosport War Memorial Hospital.
