Nurse Charged with killing patients

World International

Published

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/10475064?source=Evening%20Standard

Nurse 'tried to kill patients'

By Valentine Low, Evening Standard

28 April 2004

A hospital nurse was so obsessed with "ruthless efficiency" that she tried to kill four elderly patients to free their beds, a court heard today.

Barbara Salisbury was even heard urging one patient "give in, it's time to go", as she administered an overdose, prosecuting barrister Robin Spencer QC told the jury at Chester Crown Court.

Determined to get patients off her ward quickly - alive or dead - she "overstepped the line between humane nursing and callous dispatch", taking it upon herself to hasten the death of the four very ill patients at Leighton Hospital, Crewe, Mr Spencer said.

Salisbury, 47, from Pontybodkin, north Wales, who was working as a ward sister, denies four counts of attempted murder against Reuben Thompson, 81, Frank Owen, 92, James Byrne, 76, and Frances May Taylor, 88. The alleged offences took place between 1999 and 2001.

Mr Spencer said Salisbury tried to kill Mr Byrne and Mrs Taylor by "unnecessary and inappropriate" administration of diamorphine.

The court heard she was seen repeatedly pressing the booster button on the device delivering the drug to Mr Byrne and telling him: "Give in, it's time to go."

Mr Spencer said Salisbury tried to kill Mr Owen and Mr Thompson by lying them on their backs to drown in their own secretions. In Mr Owen's case, she told a fellow nurse: "With any luck his lungs will fill with fluid and he will die."

Salisbury was reported to police by other nurses at the hospital. Mr Spencer told the jury: " Barbara Salisbury arrogated to herself the right to decide when [patients] should die.

"She does not suggest these were attempts at mercy killing. The allegations, she says, are quite simply untrue."

He added: "If the patient could be made well enough to be discharged she would aim for that, if not she would hasten death. One way or another she wanted these patients off her ward." The trial continues.

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How scarey is that!? Just goes to show there are sickos in every profession -- even ours.:angryfire

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this it too scary. the nurse implicated herself by stating she would hasten death if they weren't to get better; and her hastening was clearly not with the intent to relieve suffering. whoa. :stone

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I am going to be an expert witness for an upcoming trial and in search of articles about "dealing with alzhemers /mental patients. Anyone know wher I can find these articles?

thanks for your help

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http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/10475064?source=Evening%20Standard

One way or another she wanted these patients off her ward." The trial continues.

Doesn't she know she is just going to get a new admission after the bed opens??

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Specializes in ICU.

A similar case happened here in Australia - only it turned out to be gossip and sheer nastiness from co-workers. New RN in a small country town had trodden on some feet of some of the more self-important Enrolled Nurses. They were used to doing things a certain way - she would not let them - next thing she is up on murder charges.

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This is in response to the nurse in wales who were hastening her patients death. She should be put to a quick death herself. I can't believe a nurse would do such a thing to a human being. tsktsk

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A similar case happened here in Australia - only it turned out to be gossip and sheer nastiness from co-workers. New RN in a small country town had trodden on some feet of some of the more self-important Enrolled Nurses. They were used to doing things a certain way - she would not let them - next thing she is up on murder charges.

Is that what you call an extreme case of horizontal violence?

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Specializes in ICU.

It was and unfortunately I cannot find any links to the actual court case but I do know that the union went to bat for her and provided the legal council. I cannot help but remember her case when I hear stories like this.

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Mental illness is the cause in many of these cases. Sometimes,as in bi-polar,the person can be very intelligent,pleasant and charming.The next minute their mind does a 180.This nurse, I suspect, was almost compulsive about numbers of patients in her head, and placing them in two catagories.Either your butt was going to get better and get out, or....your dead! sad but true,may the nurse get help, so she can understand one day her decisions.:rotfl:

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thats awfull :o

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It makes one wonder what sort of people are taking care of our loved ones. :uhoh21:

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