Ambulance worker arrested on two further neglect charges
Quick Look
- An ambulance worker, previously arrested in connection with six deaths, has been arrested again on suspicion of two further counts of wilful neglect by a care worker.
- He and a colleague, both formerly employed by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, are on conditional bail.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
An ambulance worker has been arrested on suspicion of two further offences of wilful neglect by a care worker, following previous arrests in connection with the deaths of six adults. The 35-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman, both formerly employed by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), were arrested as part of Operation Willow, an investigation into deaths within a healthcare setting in the Wiltshire area.
An ambulance worker released on bail in connection with the deaths of six adults has been arrested on suspicion of two further offences, police say.
The 35-year-old man, from west Wiltshire, is facing two further counts of wilful neglect by a care worker.
He was previously arrested in September on suspicion of six counts of gross negligence manslaughter and four counts of ill-treatment or wilful neglect by a care worker. He remains on conditional bail.
A 60-year-old woman who was previously arrested in connection with the same investigation remains on conditional bail. Both individuals were previously employed by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT).
The pair were arrested in connection with Operation Willow, a major investigation into the death of several adults within a healthcare setting in the Wiltshire area.
They were immediately suspended from duty pending the outcome of the investigation and are no longer employed by the trust.
A spokesperson for the SWASFT said: "As soon as the trust became aware of any concerns, we immediately launched an internal investigation which resulted in a prompt police referral, and we continue to work closely with Wiltshire Police as part of their ongoing investigation.
"We would like to reassure communities that there is no on-going risk to patients. Please continue to call 999 in a life-threatening emergency.
"Due to the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this stage."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Further charges or arrests may occur as the investigation continues.
Possible · Within weeks
Legal proceedings will likely commence against the arrested individuals.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the specific details of the two further offences?
- What was the nature of the deaths of the six adults?
- What led to the initial arrests and the subsequent investigation?
- What is the timeline for the ongoing investigation and potential legal proceedings?
