Jokerette
04-28-2004, 11:37 AM
Nurse's Murder Attempts 'to Free Up Beds'
Barbara Salisbury
A hospital nurse tried to kill four elderly patients in a "ruthless efficiency'' drive to free up beds, a court heard today.
Barbara Salisbury, 47, from Pontybodkin, north Wales, allegedly took it upon herself to hasten the death of the four very ill patients at Leighton Hospital, Crewe.
Prosecuting barrister Robin Spencer QC told a jury at Chester Crown Court that the nurse was heard urging one patient, "Give in, it's time to go", as she administered an overdose of diamorphine.
Salisbury, who was working as a ward sister, denies four counts of attempted murder against Reuben Thompson, 81, Frank Owen, 92, James Byrne, 76, and May Taylor, 88.
The alleged offences took place between 1999 and 2002.
Mr Spencer said Salisbury tried to kill James Byrne by repeatedly pressing the booster button on the device delivering diamorphine and telling him: "Give in, it's time to go.''
She allegedly tried to kill Reuben Thompson by removing his oxygen supply, lying him flat on his back and leaving him to drown in his own secretions. She allegedly tried to kill May Taylor with an "unnecessary and inappropriate'' administration of diamorphine, telling colleagues:"Why prolong the inevitable?''
Mr Spencer said she tried to kill Frank Owen by lying him on his back and telling another nurse: "With any luck his lungs will fill with fluid and he will die.''
She is also alleged to have given him an unnecessary dose of diamorphine.
Salisbury was reported to police by other nurses at the hospital.
Mr Spencer told the jury that Salisbury was not motivated by a desire to ease the patients' suffering but by a wish to free up beds.
He said: "You will realise that this is not a case about the rights and wrongs of euthanasia.
"Barbara Salisbury does not suggest that she was putting these old people out of their misery."
He added: "She was driven to free up a hospital bed, but in fact there will always be another patient waiting.
"If she thought there was no hope of recovery, she didn't want to wait too long.
"If the patient could be made well enough to be discharged, she would aim for that, if not she would hasten death.
"One way or another she wanted these patients off her ward.''
The case continues.
Barbara Salisbury
A hospital nurse tried to kill four elderly patients in a "ruthless efficiency'' drive to free up beds, a court heard today.
Barbara Salisbury, 47, from Pontybodkin, north Wales, allegedly took it upon herself to hasten the death of the four very ill patients at Leighton Hospital, Crewe.
Prosecuting barrister Robin Spencer QC told a jury at Chester Crown Court that the nurse was heard urging one patient, "Give in, it's time to go", as she administered an overdose of diamorphine.
Salisbury, who was working as a ward sister, denies four counts of attempted murder against Reuben Thompson, 81, Frank Owen, 92, James Byrne, 76, and May Taylor, 88.
The alleged offences took place between 1999 and 2002.
Mr Spencer said Salisbury tried to kill James Byrne by repeatedly pressing the booster button on the device delivering diamorphine and telling him: "Give in, it's time to go.''
She allegedly tried to kill Reuben Thompson by removing his oxygen supply, lying him flat on his back and leaving him to drown in his own secretions. She allegedly tried to kill May Taylor with an "unnecessary and inappropriate'' administration of diamorphine, telling colleagues:"Why prolong the inevitable?''
Mr Spencer said she tried to kill Frank Owen by lying him on his back and telling another nurse: "With any luck his lungs will fill with fluid and he will die.''
She is also alleged to have given him an unnecessary dose of diamorphine.
Salisbury was reported to police by other nurses at the hospital.
Mr Spencer told the jury that Salisbury was not motivated by a desire to ease the patients' suffering but by a wish to free up beds.
He said: "You will realise that this is not a case about the rights and wrongs of euthanasia.
"Barbara Salisbury does not suggest that she was putting these old people out of their misery."
He added: "She was driven to free up a hospital bed, but in fact there will always be another patient waiting.
"If she thought there was no hope of recovery, she didn't want to wait too long.
"If the patient could be made well enough to be discharged, she would aim for that, if not she would hasten death.
"One way or another she wanted these patients off her ward.''
The case continues.