Stepping Hill Hospital Nurse is Sacked

2 December 2011, 16:30 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A nurse at the centre of alleged saline tampering at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport has been sacked, sources have confirmed.

A nurse at the centre of alleged saline tampering at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport has been sacked, sources have confirmed.
Rebecca Leighton, 27, was released without charge six weeks after being arrested on suspicion of murder when patients at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, Greater Manchester, were poisoned.
Charges that she tampered with saline solution with intent to endanger life were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The Nursing and Midwifery Council later lifted its suspension of Miss Leighton, who has always denied the allegations, and said she could return to Stepping Hill if the hospital approved.
During the NMC disciplinary hearing she admitted to the theft of opiate-based drugs but said they were for her own use to treat a throat infection.
It emerged today that she has been sacked following an internal disciplinary hearing at Stepping Hill into the drug thefts.
Stockport Hospital Foundation Trust has declined to comment as it is understood Miss Leighton has the right to appeal before the decision is finalised.

Meanwhile Greater Manchester Police are continuing to investigate 19 cases of poisoning at the hospital.  

Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney, said: " I know victims and the relatives of those poisoned as well as the wider public and those at the hospital want answers and we are working as quickly as we can without jeopardising the quality or integrity of the investigation.  I cannot stress enough just how complex and difficult this investigation is. We are continuing to carry out detailed forensic and medical inquiries and these take time and cannot be rushed.”