TWO nurses have been arrested by detectives probing the attempted murder of three patients at Bolton General Hospital.

The two health workers - both members of staff on the psychiatric wing - were being quizzed by detectives at Bolton Central Police Station this lunchtime.

They are both facing charges of the attempted murder and conspiracy to murder patients at the hospital.

Detectives began an investigation after being contacted by health chiefs.

The police probe centres on the treatment of patients on the main psychiatric wing.

Today it emerged that a member of staff was suspended in February after allegations of 'rough handling' of patients.

Sixteen months ago, seven members of staff employed in the unit were suspended by health chiefs during an investigation into the care of patients. Four people lost their jobs as a result of the probe into what was described as the "rough handling" of patients. Following an internal inquiry into that case two nursing auxiliaries and a senior staff nurse were dismissed. A second staff nurse was allowed to return to work with a warning after a disciplinary hearing. A nursing auxiliary also resigned, another was disciplined, and a case against a fifth was dropped.

Mr John Pettigrew, Director of Nursing with the Bolton Hospitals Trust, said: "A member of staff was suspended from duty in February 1996 following allegations of rough handling and inappropriate attitude towards a patient.

"During the investigations other serious allegations were made and these were reported to the police who have carried out their own inquiries. They have informed us that a member of staff has been arrested.

"We take any concerns about standards of patient care within the Trust very seriously and have ensured that the investigations have been carried out thoroughly.

"The charges relate to the care of three patients on one of the psychiatric wards at Bolton General Hospital."

He added: "The families of the patients concerned have been full informed of the allegations and the continuing inquiries."

In a statement after the arrests today, a senior Bolton detective said: "Officers from Bolton CID have arrested two people for attempted murder and conspiracy to murder. The arrests relate to the treatment of patients under their care while employed at the hospital as a nurse and a nursing auxiliary."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.