Hospital Staff Arrested After Patient Dies

30 August 2011, 11:28 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Three hospital workers have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the death of a patient from a suspected overdose in West Sussex.

Joan Dixon, 77, from Findon, near Worthing, died at St Richard's Hospital in Chichester on October 19 last year.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "It is alleged the victim died as a result of being administered an overdose of the heart medication digoxin by hospital staff.

"Three members of staff have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

"Pathologists have confirmed that the victim died as a result of digoxin toxicity.''

He said a 23-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man, both from Chichester, along with a 40-year-old man from Emsworth, Hampshire, were questioned and released on police bail to November 29 and 30.

"St Richard's Hospital is assisting police with the investigation,'' he added.