Birmingham Children's Hospital nurse arrested on suspicion of poisoning after infant death

Birmingham Children`s Hospital
Birmingham Children`s Hospital

A 27-year-old nurse at a children's hospital has been arrested after the death of an infant she is alleged to have poisoned.

The Birmingham Children's Hospital nurse was arrested on suspicion of "administering poison with intent to endanger life", West Midlands Police said.

She has since been suspended from her role at the hospital, which is run by Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust.

The child was being treated in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the time of death.

West Midlands Police told The Sun that the nurse has been released while investigations continue, saying: "We have arrested a 27-year-old woman in connection with the death of an infant. The child sadly passed away on Thursday at hospital.

"The woman was arrested on Thursday evening at a property in the West Midlands area on suspicion of administering poison with intent to endanger life. She has been released while the investigation continues and the results of forensic tests are examined.

"The family of the child are being supported by specially-trained officers."

Birmingham Children's Hospital in Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham
Birmingham Children's Hospital in Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham

The NHS trust told the publication: "Following the death of an infant at our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital, we have asked West Midlands Police to examine what has happened, in line with our own safeguarding policy.

"The staff member involved has been suspended by the trust following the national process on the sudden unexpected death of a child.

"We are supporting the infant’s family at this distressing time and ask that privacy is respected in this process."