Authorities Identify 24 Suspects Involved in Opioid Deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital
The investigation involved 150 serving and retired detectives who reviewed approximately 3 million pages of documents, which included records of 750 patients.
Police have identified 24 suspects in connection with the numerous opioid-related deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital, with files now being sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
An inquiry was initiated at the Hampshire hospital following an independent panel review in 2018 that revealed 450 elderly patients had their lives shortened between 1987 and 2001 due to the regular administration of opioids.
Named Operation Magenta and launched in June 2019, the investigation was overseen by the cross-force Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.
The force confirmed that 21 suspects were interviewed for alleged gross negligence manslaughter and three for alleged offenses under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Largest and Complex Investigation
The investigation included 150 serving and retired detectives who examined over 3 million pages of documents, including medical records of more than 750 patients, and took about 1,200 witness statements from affected family members.
Deputy Chief Constable Neil Jerome of Operation Magenta described the independent investigation as one of the largest and most complex in the history of UK policing.
Jerome stated that they have started submitting case files concerning individual patients to the Crown Prosecution Service, with the CPS deciding on potential criminal charges.
He mentioned that interviews are being conducted cautiously, and no arrests have been made so far.
Families of the deceased at Gosport were informed at the beginning of the investigation that all possible criminal offenses would be considered, according to Jerome.
He assured that the Operation Magenta is being conducted meticulously and efficiently to bring closure to the investigations.
‘Disregard for Human Life’
The 2018 Gosport Independent Panel report concluded that over 450 individuals had their lives shortened due to the improper administration of opioids, with a probable additional 200 patients affected.
Opioids, used for pain management, can have severe respiratory effects, especially in older populations.
The inquiry discovered a significant disregard for human life and a culture of shortening patients’ lives at Gosport War Memorial Hospital.
In his report, Jones highlighted the families’ struggles to find answers and the feeling of betrayal by institutions they trusted.
PA Media contributed to this report.
