Nurse Arrested by U.K. Police Investigating Poisonings

Detectives investigating the poisoning of patients at a hospital in northwest England said Thursday a nurse has been arrested on suspicion of tampering with medical records.

The 46-year-old man was detained on suspicion of having unlawfully administered a noxious substance at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, after it was discovered earlier this week that medical records appeared to have been altered.

Greater Manchester Police said the arrest is separate from a wider inquiry into the contamination of saline drips with insulin at the hospital in June and July 2011.

Officers also confirmed that the death on New Year's Eve of a former patient at the hospital is now being investigated as part of that inquiry. Bill Dickson, 82, died then and his is the fourth death being checked as part of the case.

Police are investigating whether the contamination of saline drips killed four patients and sickened 16.

Another nurse was arrested on suspicion of murder last year but freed without charge.