Gosport hospital deaths: 425 families' witness statements taken by police
MORE than 400 patients’ relatives have been contacted in a police investigation into 700 deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital.
Detectives involved in the major probe, launched following a report’s finding lives were shortened at the hospital between 1987-2001, have taken a statement from each of the 425 families currently actively involved.
It is the fourth investigation, following three run by Hampshire police.
This latest, Operation Magenta, is being run by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Jerome with police from across Britain being enlisted to help.
Medical staff are also now being questioned as witnesses, and material seized from the Bury Road hospital this year is being examined.
Mr Jerome said it continues to make ‘progress despite the Covid-19 pandemic’.
He said: ‘Although the taking of face-to-face statements in people’s homes has been paused following the introduction of new national restrictions on November 5, our officers and staff continue to take statements in other settings.
‘We are also furthering the investigation through the thorough assessment of over 700 patient records and the ongoing review of a significant quantity of seized material.
‘We have so far taken at least one statement from every family currently engaged with the investigation, of which there are around 425, and this work will continue when it is safe to do so and in line with the national restrictions.’
‘We are also now contacting other non-family witnesses during the relevant time period for the purposes of them also giving statements to aid the investigation.
‘We are continuing to keep the families updated and remain committed to carrying out a full and thorough investigation.’
It comes as The News today reports how a patient’s relative has submitted a dossier of corruption allegations to Hampshire police.