On Jun. 17, 2004,
Barbara Salisbury (47), a senior ward sister at Leighton Hospital, in Crewe (Cheshire,
England) was convicted of attempting to
murder two elderly patients under her care. The nurse was motivated by a
serious shortage of available beds at the hospital. She was suspected of
killing five of her wards between May 1999 and March 2002: James Byrne (76),
Reuben Thompson (81), Frances Taylor (88), Frank Owen (92), Bertram Madeley 76.
“All of
Salisbury's alleged victims were elderly patients whose days ‘or even hours’
were numbered. For all, the prospect of recovery was poor or non-existent. For
some, death was imminent.” [The
Telegraph, Apr. 29, 2004]
On one occasion
she told a nurse to prepare a 92-year-old patient for a “natural” death,
telling her to: "Lay him flat. With
any luck his lungs will fill with water and he'll die."
Salisbury was
found guilty of attempted murder of May Taylor (88) and Frank Owen (92) by the
Chester crown court.
***
CHRONOLOGY
1975 – Began nurse
training in 1975 while in the Royal Air Force.
Pre-1993 – worked
at hospitals in Peterborough, Cambs, and King's Lynn, Norfolk.
1993 – begins
working at Leighton Hospital, in Crewe, Cheshire, England
May 18, 1999 –
James Byrne (76); RL repeatedly pressed the booster button on a Graseby syringe
driver giving diamorphine to Byrne. As she did so, she was saying: "Give
in. It's time to go."
Feb 3.-Mar. 14,
2002 (a date between) – Reuben Thompson (81); RL is alleged to have withdrawn
his oxygen supply and laid him flat on his back so he was choking.
Mar. 21, 2002
–she used a Graseby driver inappropriately while administering diamorphine to
Mrs Frances Taylor.
Mar. 31, 2002 –
inappropriately gave diamorphine painkiller to Frank Owen by an injection.
May 2002 – police
investigation initiated.
Jun. 17, 2003 –
charged, 5 counts of attempted murder; released on bail.
Jun. 17, 2004 – jailed
for five years after being found guilty at Chester crown court of the attempted
murders of May Taylor, 88, and Frank Owen, 92. Low Newton Prison in
Durham.
Nov. 8, 2005 –
appeal dismissed.
***
The five alleged
victims:
James Byrne (76).
Reuben Thompson (81).
(conviction)
Mrs. Frances (May)
Taylor (88). (conviction)
Frank Owen (92).
Bertram Madeley (76).
***
QUOTATIONS
"Give in.
It's time to go."
"Lay him
flat. With any luck his lungs will fill with water and he'll die." (92-y-o
patient)
***
SOURCES
[Helen Carter, “Ward
sister weeps at verdicts after trial that heard of her ruthless desire to free
beds by causing elderly to die,” The Guardian,” Jun. 18, 2004]
[Nigel Bunyan, “Nurse 'tried to kill elderly to free beds',”
The Telegraph, Apr. 29, 2004]
***
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